£4m Exeter scheme to quadruple EV charge points

Devon County Council (DCC) has formed a consortium with two private sector companies, ZAPINAMO and Gamma Energy, to install and operate 150 electric vehicle (EV) charge points in Exeter.

The £4m scheme will quadruple the number of EV charge points from its current number of 30. ZAPINAMO will design, build, install and maintain the EV ‘StreetHUBZ’ chargers and Gamma Energy will own and operate the infrastructure.

The project follows a successful funding bid by the council to Innovate UK.

The chargers use a ‘cutting-edge’ low power electricity supply and energy storage system, which means they are easy to install and can charge vehicles quickly.

Typically, a StreetHUBZ unit will provide 50 miles of travel after 30 minutes of charge. Whereas a basic home charge unit (3KW) will provide only four miles of travel for 30 minutes.

Additionally, Co-Cars will provide a number of electric vehicles through their car-sharing service, which will allow the public to test drive an EV and use the car charge points.

Cllr Roger Croad, Devon County Council’s cabinet member for the environment said: ‘There is a climate crisis and no one organisation, council or company has all the answers.

‘Only by working together and combining our knowledge, skills and the latest technologies can we reduce emissions. This project is an excellent example of the private and public sectors working together to help achieve that goal.’

In March, an Exeter community interest company (CIC) launched a 12-month campaign aimed at tackling air pollution in the city.

Exeter City Futures’ campaign, ‘Everyone’s Exeter’, will aim to raise awareness and orchestrate change around transport and energy challenges in the Devon city.

Each month, the campaign will focus on one of Exeter City Futures’ 12 stated goals, encouraging organisations across the city to pledge to help improve the city.

Challenges the campaign is hoping to tackle include air pollution, affordable housing, and more environmentally friendly travel in and around the city, amongst other issues.

Photo Credit – Devon County Council