Kent to recieve 14 new rapid EV chargers

Traffic technology group SWARCO has secured plans to install 14 new rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across Kent. 

The 50kW chargers come as a result of Kent County Council successfully winning government funding through the Ultra-Low Emission Taxi Infrastructure Scheme. 

Each of the rapid charging stations will have two charging points, meaning that they can offer simultaneous charging to two vehicles.

To begin with, one point will be exclusively for taxis and the other will also be open for public use. However, the uptake of electric taxis and usage data will be constantly monitored and reviewed, and the second point may be restricted to taxis only.

Susan Carey, Kent County Council cabinet member for the environment commented: ‘Much thought has gone into the location of these extra charging points to make them as convenient as possible. We hope they encourage more people to make the switch to electric.’

Justin Meyer, general manager of SWARCO eVolt added: ‘This builds on other SWARCO projects with Transport North East and Basildon and Rochford to support taxis, and like them, Kent County Council is building the infrastructure to make EV taxis more attractive and viable for drivers and operators.

‘Some of the individual districts within Kent have given careful consideration into how best to incentivise taxi and private hire drivers depending on the type of district they are, and how taxis generally operate within that district. We are confident that it will prove to be successful.’

Photo Credit – Pixabay