The education sector will play a major part in the UK’s rollout of EV chargers, with up to 50,000 points expected to be installed at schools, colleges and universities.
Energy services company eEnergy, in partnership with EO Charging, plans to create the UK’s largest public sector charging network, making a contribution towards the Government’s 2030 target of 300,000 charge points in the UK by 2030.
An initial batch of 200 chargepoints will be fitted in April, with 2,000 expected by the end of the year.
At a time of unprecedented energy costs, installing standard EV chargers is not currently a viable option for many public sector organisations. By offering longer-term, fully serviced performance contracts, eCharge customers can install EV charging without upfront investment.
The service will also offer new revenue opportunities, with schools and other organisations able to monetise their EV charging facilities by making them available to local communities or providing charging in place of parking fees.
Harvey Sinclair, CEO of eEnergy, said: “The Government has rightly set ambitious net zero targets, and electric vehicles will play a fundamental role. However, ensuring everyone has access to reliable charging, especially for those who cannot plug in at home, poses considerable challenges.
"Like many employers, schools face a growing demand for EV chargers just as energy costs reach record highs. Our ambitious rollout will make life easier for teachers and other drivers by offering an affordable and accessible alternative.
“By pairing workplace chargers with energy-saving technologies and clean energy procurement, everything from lighting to commuting can be powered using 100% fossil-free energy, cutting energy costs, and creating new revenue opportunities for the public sector.”
There are approximately 32,000 schools, colleges, and universities, with more than 600,000 teachers, 225,000 staff and 2.66m students currently in higher education.
eEnergy expects to install up to 20 chargers per school or workplace. The company already provides energy services to more than 600 schools and 2,000 other workplaces across the UK.
Charlie Jardine, founder and CEO of EO Charging, said: “Our partnership with eEnergy ensures critical net zero infrastructure can be widely adopted by the public sector as well as businesses, making EVs accessible to more people throughout the UK.
"Together we have built a compelling solution for those who are looking to install EV chargers as part of their broader net zero strategy.”
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Matt has been an automotive journalist for eight years. As senior staff writer he is responsible for the automotive content on Fleet News and also contributes to Automotive Management. Prior to this, Matt worked in the automotive industry for 10 years.
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