Stockport Council agrees chargepoint deal with Be.EV

Stockport Council is set to boost its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure following a new deal with Be.EV.

The local authority has signed a £15m deal with the firm, which will see new charge points installed in 20 locations.

The chargers, which will be able to charge 100 vehicles at once, will take two weeks to install and are expected to be operational by the end of the year.

The council will retain ownership of the sites but the chargers will be installed and managed by Be.EV. Anyone will be able to use the chargers but Be.EV members will be able to access a discounted rate.

Be.EV CEO Asif Ghafoor said: “Stockport Council has taken a well thought out intelligent approach to providing EV chargers. 

“It is a great example of how the public sector can partner with the private.

“The council wants to deliver cleaner air and they have found these sites for EV chargers. It is our job now to bring the expertise and the commercial incentive to make them fabulous.

“They are the first step in helping the borough and its residents hit their green targets while bringing a financial benefit as well.

“We want other councils to sit up and take notice of this gold standard development or they will be left behind.”

It will cost around £8million to install the 54 rapid and ultra-rapid chargers with the ongoing operational costs of £7million over next 10 years.

Be.EV is Greater Manchester’s preferred charging partner.

Cllr Mark Roberts, cabinet member for Climate Change and Environment, said: “I am so pleased that this exciting partnership will be delivering for residents really soon. This work helps us as a council to future proof our borough and the needs of our local people.

“The whole of the Stockport, including the council, residents and businesses, must make big changes to reduce our emissions now so that we stop contributing to climate change and providing this infrastructure will help us on that challenging journey.

“Installing more electric vehicle chargers is a key element for the council with regards to its commitment to taking action on climate change as we aim for Stockport to be carbon neutral by 2038.

“Not only that, EV ownership is growing in Stockport and Greater Manchester and this is really great news that we are installing, in partnership with Be.EV, more chargers across the borough in a range of different locations that will benefit our residents.”