Isle of Wight Council has awarded EV charging provider char.gy the contract to deliver more than 1,500 public chargepoints across the Island.
The project will be delivered under the Government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) programme, with £1.625 million of public funding supporting the rollout alongside private sector investment. According to the council, the scheme will not require any financial contribution from the local authority.
That matters when council budgets are already stretched thin, with Isle of Wight Council already suffering from its ‘most challenging’ budget in the last 10 years. As it looks to make cuts to bring its budget down, that could have impacted the roll-out of EV charging infrastructure, which could then have a knock-on impact on the uptake of electric vehicles – with the Isle of Wight already ranking among the bottom 15 local authorities for the EV transition overall.
Thankfully, thanks to LEVI funding and private investment, the council can now proceed with a further roll-out of EV chargers without dipping into its budget. In fact, as part of the contract, char.gy has agreed to design, install and maintain the new network – which is massive by any standards, and absolutely dwarfs the size of contracts signed by some other councils.
The council is positioning the scheme as a key part of its longer-term transport strategy. The project is also intended to support the Isle of Wight’s wider Transport Plan, which sets out a vision for cleaner and more inclusive travel through to 2040.
Many on the island have previously expressed confusion over the slow uptake of electric vehicles amongst residents. Given the average range of a modern EV exceeds 200 miles, some have posited that the Isle of Wight is an ideal location for electric vehicles to thrive. Despite that assertion, however, residents claim that the high cost of EVs, as well as the lack of charger availability is a key reason behind the slow uptake – although Isle of Wight Council will be hoping its latest intervention will change that.
Councillor Julie Jones-Evans, Chair of the Economy, Regeneration, Transport and Infrastructure Committee, noted, “This is fantastic news for the Island and a real leap forward in making cleaner, greener travel accessible to everyone, especially for those who don’t have driveways.
“Installing over 1,500 new chargepoints will make a tangible difference for residents right across our communities, at no cost to the local budget.
“This project is a brilliant example of how we can deliver practical, forward-looking change while investing in the future of our towns and the people who live here.”
The council said the programme is focused on ensuring fair and convenient access to charging across the Island, with the aim of reducing barriers to EV adoption rather than simply adding infrastructure where demand already exists.
Alongside the charging rollout itself, char.gy and installation partner Joju are also set to deliver wider social value initiatives. These will include work experience opportunities, engagement with local schools, and contributions aimed at supporting the Island’s natural environment.
John Lewis, CEO of char.gy, added. “Partnering with Isle of Wight Council marks an important step forward in delivering fair, accessible charging infrastructure at scale. At char.gy, our focus is on enabling every resident, especially those without off-street parking, to make the switch to electric vehicles with confidence.
“This rollout will not only support cleaner transport but also create lasting social and environmental value for the Island. We’re proud to play a role in helping the Isle of Wight bring their vision for a more sustainable and inclusive transport future to life.”
