The first of 71 electric vehicle (EV) charge points from Believ has gone live at Leeds City Council, marking a milestone in the partnership that has been fully funded by the charge point operator (CPO).

It is designed to support residents, visitors and businesses in the transition to cleaner, more sustainable transport.

The wider rollout will continue throughout early 2026, and will see a mix of fast chargers for long-stay and overnight charging and rapid chargers for quicker, on-the-go top-ups, installed at both on-street and off-street locations. This includes residential areas, community halls, sports centres, and key city centre sites.

The initiative forms part of Leeds City Council’s ongoing commitment to improving air quality, reducing carbon emissions, and supporting drivers without access to private off-street parking.

Believ will take full responsibility for the installation, operation, and ongoing maintenance of the charge points.

Guy Bartlett, CEO of Believ, says the business is proud to be partnering with Leeds City Council to expand its EV charging infrastructure: “Our fully funded model allows local authorities to deliver high-quality, future-ready charging networks without the use of public funds. This project reflects our shared ambition to create cleaner air and more sustainable transport options for all.”

Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, says the first charge point going live is an exciting milestone: “It’s an important step towards delivering a comprehensive EV charging network that meets the needs of our residents and visitors. By expanding access to convenient, reliable public charging, especially for those without driveways, we’re helping to make the transition to electric vehicles easier and more accessible for everyone.

“It’s another step towards our ambition to become the UK’s first net zero city.”