Norfolk County Council has announced that it has awarded the contract for the installation of on-street charging points for electric vehicles (EVs) in Norwich to EB Charging. The contract will see the installation, supply, and operation of 46 new charging points on 40 streets throughout Norwich. This is a significant step towards achieving the council’s Electric Vehicle and Local Transport Plan 4 strategies.
The charging points, which will be available to the public, will help to improve the accessibility of charging infrastructure, which is essential for the transition to electric vehicles, particularly for residents without access to off-street parking.
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Councillor Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure, and transport, commented on the project, stating, “Norfolk County Council is committed to a greener and cleaner future and we have a leading role to play in reducing our carbon footprint through cutting the dependence on motor transport that runs on fossil fuels.” He added, “We hope that this program will support more people in the Norwich area to make the change to electric.”
EB Charging’s Managing Director, Alex Calnan, expressed excitement at the opportunity to work with Norfolk County Council on the ambitious project, which will increase the availability of EV charging options throughout Norwich. He stated, “Working with UK Power Networks, they’ve ensured sufficient power supply for current and future charging needs, making switching to EVs a realistic option for residents, businesses, and visitors.”
UK Power Networks Director of Customer Service and Innovation, Ian Cameron, commented on the project, stating, “We’re making it easier for people to make the switch to an electric vehicle by helping Local Authorities to facilitate more public chargepoints that are accessible to all.”
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The project is expected to have a significant impact on the council’s efforts to improve air quality throughout Norwich and the wider region. The council will be working closely with EB Charging throughout the detailed design stage of the project and will engage with residents to ensure that any impact is minimal.
Residents will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the identified locations for charging points, as well as suggest other locations for future installations, through a survey that will be made available shortly.
