November 21st 2017

Around 230 new electric vehicle (EV) charging points are set to be installed in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire and Derby over the next three years as a scheme to expand the charge point network in the D2N2 area gets under way.

Charge point manufacturer and operator Chargemaster has been awarded a contract by Nottingham City Council to install the chargepoints to support the growing number of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles on the roads.

As part of its Go Ultra Low City status, the City Council, together with Derby City and Nottinghamshire County Councils, was awarded £6.1m in 2016 from the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) to help support the uptake of electric vehicles, reducing pollution and improving air quality.

The £2m contract will significantly increase the availability of publicly-accessible fast and rapid charge points across both cities and the county. As part of the project, Chargemaster will also invest in 50 of its Ultracharge rapid chargers in the area.

Planning for the new network will start immediately, with work expected to begin on site in early 2018. Chargepoints are set to be installed across 11 City Council-owned sites within the next six months, including at park and ride sites close to major routes.

Councillor Sally Longford, the City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services and Local Transport, said:

“A lack of charging infrastructure is often cited as one of the main barriers for people looking to buy an electric vehicle, and this project will go a long way to making it easier for motorists to drive around Nottingham, Nottinghamshire and Derby.

The electricity used by the new charge points will be generated entirely from renewable sources, meaning every mile driven by vehicles charging on the network will be powered by renewable energy.

Not only that, but an improved network is better for everyone. By enabling more low emission vehicles on our roads, we can reduce the emission of harmful gases, resulting in cleaner air for everyone in our city.

Chargemaster has been involved in several schemes in other parts of the country and we’re excited to work with them to deliver our ambitions for Nottingham”

Chargemaster will be integrating the new network with their extensive POLAR user base, and offering discount rates to people and businesses within Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

David Martell, Chief Executive of Chargemaster, said: “We are extremely proud to have been appointed to develop the electric vehicle charging infrastructure across Nottingham, Nottinghamshire and Derby over the next three years.

The council has a clear vision for Nottingham as a Go Ultra Low City and we are excited to be helping them to achieve it. The provision of public charging points for electric vehicles is critical for encouraging drivers to make the switch and ultimately to reduce urban emissions in our towns and cities.”

Find out more at www.goultralownottingham.org.uk and find the currently available charging points in Nottingham and on the POLAR network on Zap-Map, with more added as the installations progress.