Bedford Borough Council has opened a tender for the installation and operation of at least 256 new electric vehicle (EV) charge points, backed by over £1 million in government funding. The contract is expected to be awarded by summer 2025.
The council is inviting charge point operators to bid for a share of £1,010,000 secured from the UK government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) initiative. The selected operators will be required to match the grant funding with private investment and install charging facilities in key locations across the borough through 2040.
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“This is a significant step forward in our commitment to creating a sustainable transport network for Bedford Borough,” said Cllr Nicola Gribble, the council’s portfolio holder for Environment. “By increasing the number of public charge points, we are empowering residents to switch to electric vehicles with confidence.”
The council stated that most of the new charge points will provide 7 kW AC charging, with the aim of supporting residents without off-street parking. Currently, the borough has approximately 40 rapid and 70 standard charge points in on-street locations and council-run car parks. The new installations will significantly expand the availability of chargers.
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The initiative focuses on charging infrastructure within the council’s jurisdiction, while high-power DC and HPC chargers are being deployed along major roads by National Highways. As a result, drivers seeking faster charging options may need to travel further.
First introduced in early 2023, the LEVI fund aims to enhance EV infrastructure in areas with limited residential off-street parking. In January 2025, the UK government announced an additional £343 million (€413m) in funding over the next two years to further expand the program.