The first installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging points is starting in Lower Road car park in Forest Row.
Connected Kerb, one of the UK’s leading providers of EV charging infrastructure solutions, has worked in partnership with Wealden District Council over the last year reviewing council owned and operated car parks for their suitability.
The rollout is part of Conservative-led Wealden council’s bid to improve local air quality and support residents who are already driving electric vehicles (EVs), or are considering making the switch.
The works will take between four to five months depending on the weather in March and April. Other council-run car parks due to receive EV charging include The Willows, Alfriston; Croft Road, Crowborough; Mill Road, Heathfield; Luxford Field, Uckfield; North Road, Pevensey Bay; The Greyhound, Wadhurst: and Horsefields, East Dean.
Also included are bays in the Vicarage Lane car park in Hailsham and bays in the South Road car park, also in Hailsham.
Conservative councillor Pam Doodes, the council’s lead member for Climate Change, said, “This is an exciting time, and I am delighted that the first installation is underway.
“By working with Connected Kerb throughout, this rollout has been straightforward. The charging points will provide convenient access to residents who already have an electric vehicle, for residents thinking about purchasing an electric vehicle, especially where it is difficult or impossible to install a charging point at their own homes.
“Charging points will be available across the district, in our Wealden owned and managed car parks and will help us to reduce carbon emissions, and bring us one step closer to achieving our goal of becoming net zero by 2050 or sooner.”
Chris Pateman-Jones, CEO of Connected Kerb, said: “Ensuring that everyone has easy access to reliable and affordable charging infrastructure is critical to meeting the UK’s net zero target. Supporting Wealden residents who have no access to off-street parking is a key step to improving both local air quality and the uptake of electric vehicles.”
