Connected Kerb to deploy up to 2,100 chargers in the North East

Connected Kerb will more than double the number of electric vehicle (EV) chargers in the North East of England after agreeing a deal with South Tyneside Council.  

Up to 2,100 new charge points will be deployed in South Tyneside over the next 20 years, with work due to begin this month. 

Some 80% of the chargers are expected to be operational within the next two years, increasing the number of council-operated chargers in South Tyneside more than 30-fold.

The North East currently hosts just 2.7% of the UK’s public charging infrastructure, which equates to 58 chargers per 100,000 people, compared to 193 in London.

The new deployment represents a 126% boost to the North East’s existing network.

Chris Pateman-Jones, CEO of Connected Kerb, said: “With millions of pounds available to local authorities from Government initiatives such as the LEVI Fund, councils are in the driving seat to take decisive, meaningful action to deploy charge points where their communities need them the most.

“Our partnership with South Tyneside Council is yet another example of bold ambition turned into action.”  

The first phase of the installation will take place over at least 41 sites, including community centres, sports facilities and libraries such as Monkton Stadium, The Word and The Customs House Mill Dam car park.

As part of the rollout, 43 existing charge points will also be upgraded. 

Cllr Ernest Gibson, lead member for neighbourhoods and climate change at South Tyneside Council, said: “The entire country is undergoing a massive shift in ways in which we travel, and we are committed to ensuring that South Tyneside plays its part.

“With the first chargers expected to be in the ground by the end of March, we are committed to giving more residents the confidence they need to make the switch to electric, whilst supporting our sustainability agenda.

“Our partnership with Connected Kerb – enabling the largest rollout of EV chargers in the North East – provides a blueprint for other councils right across the UK to follow.”  

Additionally, Connected Kerb has been awarded a place on the selective NEPO framework for local authority EV charge point procurement in the North East.

This means that the company can be selected from a shortlist of suppliers for upcoming projects, including the LEVI funding of £16 million later in 2024. 

Connected Kerb’s network currently consists of 5,500 charge points, with more than 2,100 deployed last year.