Derbyshire lamp posts to be fitted with electric car charging points

500 charge points will be installed and run from the electricity supply to street lights in areas where residents have no off-road parking

Author: Olivia DaviesPublished 17th Mar 2023

On-street electric vehicle charging points will be installed on lamp posts in Derbyshire after proposals were given the green light by Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Members on Thursday.

Up to 500 charge points will be installed and run from the electricity supply to street lights in areas of the county where residents have no off-road parking.

To help identify where the charge points would be installed, the county council is asking residents to come forward to express an interest in having a charge point installed on a lamp post close to their home.

Councillor Carolyn Renwick, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Environment, said: “Supporting motorists in Derbyshire to make the switch to cleaner, greener vehicles is a key priority to help cut carbon emissions on our journey to becoming a net zero county to help tackle climate change.

“We know a huge proportion of Derbyshire homes do not have off-road parking which means that switching to an electric vehicle is not an easy option for many residents at a time when electric vehicles are entering the second-hand market making them a more affordable option for some.

“But advances in technology in recent years mean that charging points installed on lamp posts offer reliable and safe electric vehicle charging comparable to that of a home charging unit. That’s why we’re proposing to start rolling out this type of charging technology in Derbyshire to help residents interested in running an electric vehicle to make the switch.”

The project is part of the county council’s wider plan to install more vehicle charging points across Derbyshire, working with operators and partners such as district, borough, town and parish councils to fit charge points in public car parks.

The council will begin the process of appointing a supplier to provide and operate the on-street charging points.

It is intended that the supplier would fully finance and manage the installation, operation and maintenance of the charge point at no cost to the council.

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