Kent to roll out 10,000 on-street electric vehicle chargers

Kent County Council (KCC) is delivering what it claims is the largest Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure rollout in the UK, backed by £12 million from the Department for Transport’s (DfT) LEVI Capital Fund, and private investment.

The programme, which will see around 10,000 chargers delivered, as part of a national strategy to expand access to on-street charging, particularly in areas where home charging isn’t an option.

KCC has awarded the 20-year delivery contract to charge point operator, Urban Fox, part of the Balfour Beatty Group, which will see it installing EV charging sockets across the county, with minimal disruption to local residents.

KCC says the programme is part of its wider strategy to modernise transport and support innovation across Kent, including the recent programme that involved installing 200 public charge points, mainly in car parks, across the county.

Peter Osborne, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said:

This programme will deliver reliable and affordable charging within walking distance of people’s homes, which is particularly important for people who do not have off-road parking – and it’s being delivered at no extra cost to Kent’s Council Tax payers. Residents have already shared over 700 places in their local communities where they would like to see EV chargers and we’ll be assessing each of them over the coming months as the roll-out begins.”

Oli Freeling-Wilkinson, CEO for Urban Fox, added:

This programme represents a significant step forward for EV charging in Kent…Our role goes beyond installation; we’ll be engaging local communities, supporting the council through delivery, and ensuring the network is future-ready, well maintained, and easy to use for everyone.”

Residents can continue to nominate their street for public chargers using an interactive map: www.kent.gov.uk/onstreetev.