Increase in EV charging points in Swindon

Hundreds of new electric vehicle (EV) charging points are set to be installed across Swindon.

Up to 600 electric vehicle charging points will be installed in the area in early 2025, thanks to a successful funding bid.

Councillor Chris Watts, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member for the Environment and Transport, said: “It’s great news that we have been awarded this significant pot of money to install more on-street charging points as we want to make electric vehicle ownership a more viable option for more people, in more places."

He added that the local council will be going out to tender mid-summer with the hope to get the charging points installed in early 2025.

“If we want to deliver on our mission to achieve net zero then we must do all we can to help local people make positive changes to the way they live their lives, which also benefit the environment," he commented.

The £2.321m funding from the government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund, aims to support Swindon Borough Council’s mission to Achieve Net Zero, as well as the national decarbonisation target for phasing out new petrol and diesel cars.

The EV charging points will primarily be provided on residential streets and provide a network of 7kW charging points.

The Council will be engaging with communities in areas that do not have off-street parking or access to EV charging.

The Council plans to run resident surveys specifically targeting the groups most likely to benefit from the charging points scheme, and will also engage with ward and parish councillors to understand feedback from communities.