Hampshire awards Believ major LEVI charging contract

Hampshire County Council has selected Believ to deploy 17,180 public EV charge points across the county under the UK’s largest LEVI-backed contract to date. The rollout will combine £6.6 million in public funding with up to £90 million in private investment from Believ.

Believ winchester charging stations uk cropped — Image: Believ

Most of the planned installations will consist of 22 kW AC charge points intended for residential long-stay and overnight charging. Hampshire County Council said the aim is to provide charge points within a five-minute walk of households wherever possible. The network will also include more than 800 rapid charge points with charging capacities of 50 kW or higher for shorter charging stops.

The rollout under the UK government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) scheme is intended to expand access to public charging infrastructure for residents without private driveways or off-street parking. According to RAC data cited by the council, 33 per cent of Hampshire residents do not have access to off-street parking. The figure rises to 38 per cent in Winchester and Rushmoor and 39 per cent in Basingstoke.

The project will receive £6.6 million in LEVI funding from Hampshire County Council, while Believ will provide the remaining investment through committed private capital of up to £90 million. Believ will oversee the design, installation, operation and long-term maintenance of the charging infrastructure.

Installations are scheduled to begin later this year, with approximately 500 charge points expected to be delivered during the first year of the programme.

“As more people look to switch to EVs, ensuring access to reliable, convenient charging is essential – particularly for those without off-street parking,” said Councillor Kirsty North, Hampshire County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Lead for Universal Services. “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.”

Guy Bartlett, CEO of Believ, added: “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.”

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