UK’s first ‘fully open’ EV charging network launches in Suffolk

EO Charging has partnered with Suffolk County Council to launch ‘Plug In Suffolk’ – which they claim is the UK’s first ‘fully open’ public electric vehicle (EV) fast charging network.

100 EV charging stations are to be installed by local businesses across the county and made publicly available to support the increasing number of EVs on the county’s roads.

EV drivers pay by contactless payment with no need to register with networks or become members of organisations.

Businesses that install the ‘EO Pay’ unit and become part of the network will be able to charge visitors to recharge their EV. Host businesses have the option to pay upfront for the chargers or can spread the cost through EO Charging’s ‘pay per day’ funding model.

The scheme was unveiled yesterday (February 6) at Urban Jungle Plant Nursery and Cafe in Beccles. The company offer two 7kW EO chargers alongside the EO Pay kiosk, allowing members of the public and employees to charge their EVs.

Once completed the charging network will be available for all plug-in vehicle drivers with each charging location listed on www.pluginsuffolk.org or searchable via Zap Map and Google Maps.

Charlie Jardine, founder of EO Charging.

Charlie Jardine, founder and CEO of EO Charging, said: ‘Suffolk’s existing charging infrastructure is simply not fit for purpose if we are to see the mass adoption of EVs across the county. The ‘Plug In Suffolk’ network will play a vital role in increasing the density of publicly available fast EV chargers and will ensure that driving electric in Suffolk is hassle-free. Charging should be as easy as buying groceries, simply tap-and-go,

‘We want to support Suffolk County Council’s ambition of Creating the Greenest County and firmly believe that implementing this network is an important piece of the puzzle. We’re also pretty excited to be launching the network on our home soil here in Suffolk!’

Richard Rout, cabinet member for Environment and Public Protection at Suffolk County Council, added: ‘We’re working to reduce the barriers that drivers face when thinking about switching to EVs here in Suffolk.

‘Installing charging infrastructure that not only covers a large rural area but is also available to all electric vehicle drivers is most certainly a challenge! We’re confident, however, that the “Plug In Suffolk” network will be a solution for many plug-in drivers.’