Kent County Council (KCC) has led a group of district and borough councils, which are working together to install an initial 600 publicly available electric vehicle charging points.
Representatives from all local authorities in the county were invited to a roundtable discussion at Folkestone and Hythe District Council’s chamber on Tuesday (27th June) to hear the success that councils have had so far and how the scheme could benefit residents in their communities.
“In order to realise our goal of becoming a Net Zero county by 2050, we need to make it easier for people to pick more sustainable ways of getting around.”
KCC’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, David Brazier, said: “So far the Kent EV Charge Point Network partnership has installed almost 200 electric vehicle charging points, with more than 100 more still to come online.
“In order to realise our goal of becoming a Net Zero county by 2050, we need to make it easier for people to pick more sustainable ways of getting around.
“We are looking forward to working with anyone who wants to make it easier for residents, businesses and public transport providers to switch to electric vehicles.”
Chris Pateman-Jones, CEO of Connected Kerb, said: “It is essential that EV drivers who do not have access to off-street parking have a reliable, affordable and accessible charging network to charge their vehicles.
“This project will not only encourage greater EV uptake among local residents but also boost local air quality which is really important in tackling the effects of climate change.”
The project is led by KCC, in partnership with Connected Kerb and local borough and district councils, to focus on building off-street charging hubs with chargers grouped together in car parks, making them easily accessible.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Local authorities currently in the Kent EV Charge Point Network delivery group are Folkestone & Hythe District Council; Gravesham Borough Council; Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council and Thanet District Council
