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Highways England awards contracts for EV charging network expansion
Date: 06 March 2019 | Author: Sean Keywood
More than 50 new electric vehicle (EV) charge points are to be installed near major roads under a multi-million pound Highways England initiative.
As part of a commitment to ensure that 95% of motorways and major A roads are within 20 miles of a charge point, it has awarded contracts worth a total of £2.8 million for the charge points to be installed during the next nine months.
BP Chargemaster will put in charge points in the north of the country, and Swarco UK in the south.
The contracts include initial installation and commissioning of facilities, followed by ongoing operation and maintenance for seven years.
Highways England environmental designated fund (carbon) portfolio manager and project lead Mark Collins said: "To help improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions we are introducing more electric charging points at locations near to the network; for example at nearby town centres.
"This shows that we are looking ahead to meet the future demand for this facility.
"This contract is about supporting drivers of EVs using our network. It will give them additional charging facilities just off England's motorways and major A roads to help them make longer journeys and reduce the anxiety of potentially running out of power."
BP Chargemaster chief executive David Martell said: "Access to convenient, fast and reliable charge points across the UK will help enable the mass adoption of EVs.
"We have been focused on creating such infrastructure over the past 10 years and are very proud to be working with Highways England to expand the provision of rapid charge points so that an even greater number of drivers can make the switch to electric."
Swarco general manager Justin Meyer said: "We are delighted to have been selected by Highways England for this project to expand the national network of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
"It is testament to the range and reliability of our systems and our strong support network across the UK."
