PLANS to install additional EV charging stations in Hampshire are in progress.
The Hampshire County Council has put out a contract for additional charging points to encourage more people to switch to electric vehicles.
The four-year contract, which begins April 22nd, is valued at up to £ 25 million.
Cllr Steve Forster, Executive Member, Commercial Strategy, Estates and Property, said, “Hampshire County Council’s existing EV charging framework is already helping more than 80 local authorities and public sector organizations in the southern region purchase charging station infrastructure -free, consistent and inexpensive way.
“This shared approach will help provide a much-needed network of charging stations before the government in 2030 bans the purchase of new gasoline and diesel cars. The current framework expires in 2022 and we are now offering a new four-year contract.
“The aim of the framework is to enable and promote the use of electric vehicles by public institutions and to increase driver confidence by reducing“ range anxiety ”. It’s also a welcome boost for the green economy. ‘
There are currently 600 charging stations for electric vehicles in the district – 200 of which were installed by the district.
You can find these in supermarket parking lots, workplaces and municipal parking lots. Roadside charging stations are currently being tested in Winchester and Eastleigh.
The final figures for this new contract will be determined at a later date.
In his speech at the last full council meeting, Vice-President Cllr Rob Humby expressed his desire to be one step ahead of the curve.
He said: “National and regional regulations show that Hampshire has a higher number of fast charging points in relation to its population.
“But the market is changing very quickly as new cars come out with longer ranges and faster charging options. we want every investment to be future-proof and not to be able to be solved by the public purse alone.
“We will also be exploring the potential of rolling out ultra-fast 150kW charging points at key locations in the county to see if this can be cost-effectively deployed.”
