Hampshire County Council has appointed EV charge point operator Believ to deliver a major public charging rollout backed by up to £90 million of private investment.
The programme will see 17,180 public EV chargers installed across Hampshire, with the rollout supported by £6.6 million of Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure funding from the council. Believ will fund the remainder of the project through committed capital investment of up to £90 million.
The deal is expected to be the largest LEVI contract signed to date, and represents a significant expansion of public charging infrastructure in a county where many residents do not have access to a driveway.
According to RAC data cited by the project partners, a third of Hampshire residents do not have off-street parking. That figure rises to 38% in Winchester and Rushmoor, and 39% in Basingstoke.
The majority of chargers installed under the programme will be 22kW standard plus sockets, aimed at supporting long-stay and overnight charging for residents. The council and Believ say the aim is to provide charge points within a five-minute walk of households where possible.
The rollout will also include more than 800 rapid charge points of 50kW and above, providing options for shorter top-ups.
Filling the on-street charging gap
The lack of off-street parking remains one of the biggest barriers to EV adoption, particularly for households that cannot easily install a home charger. While rapid charging hubs are important for longer journeys, local authorities are increasingly looking to on-street and residential charging as a way to make EV ownership more practical for a wider group of drivers.
Believ will be responsible for the design, installation, operation and long-term maintenance of the Hampshire network. Accessibility has also been built into the programme, with charge points designed to be PAS 1899-compliant wherever possible.
Installations are expected to begin later this year, with around 500 charge points planned in the first year.
Councillor Kirsty North, Hampshire County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Lead for Universal Services, noted, “As more people look to switch to EVs, ensuring access to reliable, convenient charging is essential – particularly for those without off-street parking. This initiative demonstrates how local authorities can combine local knowledge and national funding with private sector investment to unlock delivery at scale, accelerate infrastructure rollout, and support the growth of the UK’s green economy.
“At a time when local government budgets are under significant pressure, it also shows how this can be achieved without adding to the burden on local finances, while laying the foundations for long-term growth in low-carbon transport.”
Keir Mather, the UK’s Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Minister, commented, “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.
“We’re making it easier and cheaper to go electric – with a further £600 million to accelerate charge point rollout across the UK, and with our Electric Car Grant helping over 110,000 drivers save up to £3750 when buying a new EV.”
Guy Bartlett, CEO of Believ, concluded, “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.”
