First electric vehicle testing points rolled out

Five electric vehicle (EV) test sites have been installed in residential areas across the city as part of the council’s commitment to developing the EV charging point network. 

The test sites at Waldergrave Road, Montpelier Road, Ventnor Villas, Maresfield Road and Norton Road, are due to go live by 31 October. In this testing period, council officers will be assessing usage to see if there are any issues to resolve before the rollout of other chargers across Brighton & Hove.

In May 2018, Brighton & Hove City Council was awarded a £300,000 government grant from the Office of Low Emission Vehicles to install 200 new electric vehicle charge points across the city. These are being installed in suitable locations on existing lamp columns as this is where the electricity is delivered from for this scheme. Within the next month the council will be going out to tender for a new 5 year contract to install, administer and maintain the 200 new EV charging points in addition to on-going support for the existing charger network.

Developing the electric vehicle infrastructure is one aspect of the council’s strategy to tackle air pollution and improve air quality in the city. Other initiatives include providing funding for low and zero emission buses; improving junctions and introducing a Low Emission Zone.  Major projects, including the Valley Gardens scheme, aim to improve transport routes for cyclists and pedestrians and enhance the city centre’s green spaces.

Chair of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee, Councillor Gill Mitchell, said: “We are committed to expanding our electric vehicle charger network to ensure we meet the needs of our residents, businesses and visitors.

“There has been a growing demand for charging points in recent years and we want to make it as easy as possible for people to make the switch to electric vehicles, which will help reduce emissions and improve air quality.”