UK-based charge point operator Char.gy will install more than 6,000 on-street electric vehicle chargers in Brighton & Hove over the next two years, in what is being described as the largest project of its kind in the country.
The £130 million initiative is being delivered in partnership with Brighton & Hove City Council and is supported by the UK government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund. The rollout is expected to significantly expand charging access in a city where 40% of residents lack off-street parking.
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“This partnership alone will empower thousands of residents to confidently make the switch to electric vehicles, knowing they have easy access to chargers,” said Char.gy CEO John Lewis. “As local authorities across England prepare to follow suit, this stands as a powerful first example of how the public and private sectors are coming together to deliver impactful projects that stimulate the demand for EVs and bring the country meaningfully closer to achieving our sustainability goals.”
While Char.gy did not confirm the specific power rating of the chargers, the focus appears to be on 8 kW units designed for overnight use. The company offers a pay-as-you-go night rate of £0.39 per kWh and uses 100% renewable energy across its existing network of 4,000 public chargers.
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Brighton & Hove currently has around 500 on-street chargers in operation. According to the council, 83% of residents without private parking are now within a five-minute walk of a public charging point — the highest coverage in the UK outside of London.
“Making charging as easy as possible is crucial to making the switch to electric a success,” said Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood. “Rolling out over 6,000 chargers across Brighton and Hove will make driving an electric vehicle easier and more convenient, especially for those without a driveway.”