Dorset launches county-wide EV charging scheme

The new scheme will see more than 3000 on-street charging points installed across the county. It's the product of a £16.5 million partnership between Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council.

Dorset ev chargepoints — Image: Dorset Council

The scheme is being delivered by Connected Kerb and is funded solely by the Department for Transport’s Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund, which has delivered similar infrastructure for local authorities across the UK. The placement of the new charge points will be ‘county-wide’, although the exact distribution of the network hasn’t been confirmed besides ‘local streets and in everyday parking spaces’. Dorset Council has provided a helpful resource about charging points across the county, although it has not yet been updated with a map of the new Connected Kerb locations.

Local figures have linked the project to the impending 2030 cut-off for the sale of new petrol and diesel cars. Cllr Andy Hadley, BCP Council’s Cabinet member for Climate and Transport, said: “By creating a county-wide charging network, we’re removing one of the biggest barriers to switching to electric vehicles – making it more convenient, accessible, and reliable for our residents. This rollout, fully funded by the government and private sector investment, is about making life easier for our communities while reinforcing Dorset and BCP’s position as a hub for green investment.

Chris Pateman-Jones, CEO of Connected Kerb added: “This project puts convenient, affordable EV charging where it’s needed most – on local streets and in everyday parking spaces – making it easier for more residents across BCP and Dorset to switch to electric. It’s a major step forward in building a cleaner, more accessible charging network for everyone.”

dorsetcouncil.gov.uk