As part of its Plug In Suffolk programme, the county council was awarded £5.3 million to install 6,000 on-street and community chargepoints following a successful bid to the government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund, the county council.
Councillor Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Devolution, Local Government Reorganisation and NSIPs, said:
“We’re excited to be working with Urban Fox, to ensure that those living in conservation areas can access EV charging, alongside those living in more urban settings.
“For many years, the county council’s Plug In Suffolk programme has recognised the importance of offering a variety of EV charging solutions, particularly to those who are unable to charge easily at home.
“This is not only to support the ever-growing number of Suffolk drivers who are switching to EVs, but also to benefit the county’s visitors and the tourism economy.”
Urban Fox who are providing substantial private investment, will work closely with Suffolk County Council and local stakeholders to ensure charge points are installed in the most appropriate locations, reflecting community needs and minimising disruption during deployment.
Oli Freeling-Wilkinson, CEO of Urban Fox, said:
“This is another important step forward for Urban Fox as we continue to support local authorities in delivering accessible, future-ready EV infrastructure. Suffolk’s commitment to innovation and community-focused deployment aligns perfectly with our approach.
“By deploying our retractable ‘UEone’ chargepoints, we’re able to provide a solution that not only meets the growing demand for EV charging but does so in a way that respects the local historic environment and improves the experience for residents. We’re excited to be working with Suffolk County Council to help accelerate the transition to cleaner transport.”
The chargepoints will be suitable for long-stay or overnight charging and drivers will benefit from an overnight off-peak tariff, and a dedicated resident’s tariff which features discounted charging at all times.
Unlike traditional chargepoints, Urban Fox will supply chargers that are fully retractable and sit flush with the pavement when not in use.
Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Minister, Keir Mather, said:
“We’re backing Suffolk County Council with £5.3m to roll out thousands of new EV chargers, including some using innovative design solutions, so people living in conservation areas can benefit from public charging without disturbing the historical character of UK heritage towns.
“Just last year we announced a further £600 million to accelerate charger rollout across the UK, and our Electric Car Grant has now helped over 75,000 drivers purchase a new EV, saving them up to £3,750 and breaking down barriers to EV ownership.”
Find out more about Plug in Suffolk.
