West Suffolk Council will roll out a program later in 2023 confirming the planned locations for the charge points, which will be chosen for EV driver convenience, and include town centers, leisure centers, country parks and car parks.
Figures published in January 2023 by the Department for Transport show that West Suffolk is already in the top 29 percent of councils nationally for public charging points for EVs, both in total number of devices, and for devices per 100,000 residents.
Having declared environment and climate change emergencies, West Suffolk Council is working towards being carbon net zero by 2030. It is also a key contributor to the Suffolk Climate Emergency Plan. In December 2022, the council published its EV Infrastructure Position Statement, detailing how it will support delivery of EV charging infrastructure. Partnerships such as the one with ubitricity are seen as key to this work and to developing the EV charging infrastructure yet further.
Cllr Andy Drummond, Cabinet member for Regulatory and Environment at West Suffolk Council said, "This sees a step change in availability of public charging points ahead of the change from fossil fuel vehicles in 2030. I welcome the collaboration with ubitricity and am delighted that the energy motorists are to be supplied is from the same company that buys the energy we generate from our council-owned solar farm, and at competitive rates."
Toby Butler, UK Managing Director at ubitricity said, "West Suffolk council is making incredible leaps when it comes to EV charge point infrastructure, delivering a blueprint for other local authorities to follow. By expanding their network to provide convenient charging facilities for both residents and businesses, they are making the transition to EV much more accessible and helping give drivers the confidence to make the switch. We are thrilled to be working with West Suffolk to help them set a standard for other councils to follow."
