Thousands of new electric vehicle (EV) chargers are set to be installed in Hampshire in a major boost for greener transport in the county.
The rollout forms part of a nationwide effort to support communities without off-street charging options and aims to make EV ownership more practical for a wider range of residents.
Hampshire County Council has secured £6.662 million from the Department for Transport, unlocking up to £90 million in private investment and paving the way for around 17,000 publicly accessible charging points.
Councillor Kirsty North, deputy leader of Hampshire County Council and cabinet lead for Universal Services, said: "This expansion of charge points significantly accelerates our efforts to meet rising demand from residents for convenient and reliable electric vehicle charging close to home.
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"Importantly, I’m pleased that we can deliver this major roll out at no cost to the County Council.
"The scale of the scheme reflects our ambition to embrace new technology and support the transition to cleaner transport across Hampshire."
The programme targets areas where residents lack private driveways or garages, making home charging difficult or impossible.
According to RAC data, one-third of Hampshire residents do not have access to off-street parking, with the figure rising to 38 per cent in Winchester and Rushmoor and 39 per cent in Basingstoke.
Around 500 charge points are expected to be installed in the first year of the programme.
The scheme comes at no direct cost to the council and represents the largest local authority-led EV infrastructure project currently underway in England.
The council will also receive a share of income generated by the new charging network once operational.
Following a competitive tender, charge point operator Believ has been awarded a 15-year concession contract to deliver and maintain the network.
Guy Bartlett, CEO of Believ, said: "This partnership with Hampshire County Council enables the largest EV charging programme delivered through the LEVI scheme to date.
"By combining public funding with significant private capital, we can move faster, reach more communities and make charging more accessible for residents all across Hampshire."
The network will include rapid chargers and may feature dedicated charging hubs for taxis and private hire vehicles.
Hampshire residents are being encouraged to suggest locations for new chargers to help identify areas of highest need.
Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Minister Keir Mather said: "Drivers in Hampshire will benefit from 17,000 new public EV chargers, backed by a £6.6 million Government investment, giving residents the confidence to make the switch wherever they live or travel."
