The first in a series of new electric vehicle charging points are now ready for use in North Somerset, as part of a £7.1m funding package that will benefit four local authorities in the West Country.
The investment from the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) will deliver approximately 120 EV charging bays across the Revive network, including a rapid charging hub in each of the four local authority areas that the project covers (Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire).
The 22kW charger provides two charging bays conveniently located in Sand Road car park in Sand Way, which the council says is ‘good news for electric vehicle owners visiting the area, as well as local residents and businesses’.
The series of new charging points will see 30 EV charging bays installed across North Somerset, highlighting the council’s strong commitment to the climate emergency and to creating more sustainable travel options for residents and visitors.
Both fast (7 and 22kW) and rapid chargers (50kW) will be in central locations or those with high visitor numbers, as part of the Revive network, which is owned by the West of England Combined Authority and North Somerset Council.
Revive is free to join, with users paying for the electricity they use and will include use of North Somerset’s flagship rapid charging hub in Portishead Marina, which is due to open in spring.
Commenting, North Somerset Council's Executive Member for Planning, Highways and Transport, Councillor James Tonkin said: “We are working alongside the other West of England authorities to take a crucial lead role in electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
“By installing conveniently located rapid and fast chargers, we’re preparing for the move away from petrol and diesel cars in order to make it easier for residents and visitors to make the switch to electric.”
