First on-street EV charger installed in new scheme

The chargepoint is located in Lawrence Road in Hove

The first on-street electric vehicle (EV) charger has been installed as part of a project believed to be the largest of its kind in the UK, according to the government.

Chargepoint operator char.gy said it had started fitting more than 6,000 kerbside chargers for Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC) after securing a £130m contract.

The new charger in Lawrence Road, Hove, is the first to be installed, supported by the Government's £381m Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure funding.

Trevor Muten, cabinet member for transport at BHCC, said they were "leading the way in providing the infrastructure needed for the growing number of electric vehicle users in the city".

The government's scheme supports local authorities in England to plan and deliver charging infrastructure for residents without off-street parking.

A Department for Transport (DfT) spokesperson said: "We're powering up an EV revolution in the UK and delivering £381m to install over 100,000 chargepoints across the country.

"More chargepoints on our streets will make it easier and cheaper to own an electric vehicle, meaning people can charge up cheaply no matter where they live and no matter where they travel."

A report published by public spending watchdog the National Audit Office in December 2024 found the rollout of public EV chargers was "on track" to meet the 300,000 the DfT estimates will be the minimum needed by 2030.

The Government has pledged to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2030.

Additional reporting by PA Media.