Newport City Council Partners with Zest to Expand EV Charging Infrastructure

Credit: Zest

The Newport City Council has signed a 15-year agreement with charge point operator Zest to install 144 electric vehicle (EV) chargers across 77 locations in the city, as part of efforts to support the transition to zero-emission transport and meet its climate goals.

The project, funded equally by Zest, the Welsh government, and the UK government’s On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme, aims to address the growing demand for EV infrastructure, particularly for residents without access to off-street parking. The total investment sum was not disclosed in the council’s press release, nor was a specific timeline provided for the installation of the chargers.

See also: Kempower and Ziegler Energy Solutions Partner to Enhance EV Charging for Fleets

Newport City Council has set an ambitious target to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. “Expanding our EV infrastructure, especially for those without access to off-street parking, is a crucial part of our commitment to deliver equitable infrastructure across the city,” the council stated.

Councillor Yvonne Forsey, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity at Newport City Council, emphasized the importance of the initiative. “Tackling climate change is a priority for the council, and we have ambitious targets in place to reduce our carbon emissions over the next six years,” she said. “Partnering with Zest to expand Newport’s EV infrastructure is a crucial step in helping us achieve this goal, as more residents seek ways to reduce their carbon footprint and transition to electric vehicles.”

See also: University of Warwick Partners with Zest for Campus EV Charging Infrastructure

Zest, which describes itself as one of the fastest-growing charge point operators in the UK, specializes in deploying and managing EV charging infrastructure for local authorities, brands, and destinations. The company recently secured a similar agreement with the Borough of Warrington to install 150 public chargers.

Robin Heap, CEO of Zest, highlighted the significance of the partnership. “Through collaborating and investing in progressive local authorities like Newport City Council, Zest can deliver and operate the extensive network of chargers needed to enable drivers to choose to switch to electric vehicles,” he said. “These crucial investments will make the transition to EVs both practical and accessible for people across the city, improve air quality, and enhance the lives of future generations.”

See also: Durham County Council and Zest Partner to Expand EV Charging Infrastructure

The initiative aligns with broader efforts in the UK to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As the demand for EVs continues to grow, partnerships between local authorities and private operators like Zest are seen as critical to building the necessary infrastructure to support the transition.

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