New street EV chargepoints switched on

Councillor Peter Candlish (left), cabinet member for transport, and Robin Heap, of Zest, attended a launch event for the first new chargepoints

New chargepoints have been been switched on as part of an expansion of infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs) in Portsmouth.

Operator Zest is replacing and upgrading more than 80 existing on-street sites, with a further 320 brand new chargepoints due to be installed in three phases.

Councillor Peter Candlish, cabinet member for transport, said it was a milestone in the city's "journey towards a cleaner, more sustainable future".

More than 3,000 Portsmouth residents already drive plug-in or hybrid vehicles, which is forecast to rise to more than 20,000 by 2030.

The city council said the new on-street chargepoints were aimed at making it easier for residents to charge their vehicles close to home.

The scheme was funded by the government's On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme and private sector investment.

Mr Candlish said: "With the new EV chargepoints now being installed in convenient residential locations, especially where off-street parking isn't available, we're future proofing the city and making it easier for more people to choose to switch to an EV.

"It's an important part of our overall plan for cleaner air, lower emissions, and healthier travel options."

The additional charging points are being delivered in phases, with each proposed location undergoing a formal public consultation.

In 2023, the city's network of 98 chargepoints was shut down over safety concerns.