By Local Democracy & Public Affairs Reporter
not affiliated to the BBC LDRS Service
Rutland’s transition to a greener transport system is taking a significant step forward. Rutland County Council has announced a major expansion of its public electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, backed by freshly secured government funding. The council has secured £257,000 of capital funding through the Government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) programme. This new investment builds directly on the foundations laid by Rutland's initial LEVI pilot project, which launched in 2024.
To maximise the impact of the funding, Rutland is working regionally as part of the Fourth Midlands Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Consortium alongside Worcestershire, Warwickshire, and Leicestershire County Councils. By collaborating across borders, these local authorities aim to streamline infrastructure procurement, share best practices, and drastically improve public EV network coverage for drivers traveling through the heart of the region.
Following a competitive procurement process, the council has split its installation strategy between two specialized charge point operators to handle distinct driver needs. Connected Kerb has been awarded the contract to install 7kW standard chargers, guaranteeing the delivery of at least 70 new units across the county. These chargers are ideal for residents who leave their vehicles parked for longer periods or overnight. For drivers needing a quick top-up on the go, EZO has been contracted to install five 50kW rapid chargers at key locations.
The initiative specifically targets one of the most significant bottlenecks in electric vehicle adoption: providing reliable public facilities for residents, businesses, and visitors who do not have access to off-street parking or private driveways.
"This investment marks an important step forward in expanding Rutland’s EV charging network and supporting the transition to more sustainable transport," said Councillor Oliver Hemsley, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Transport. "By increasing the availability of public charge points across the county, we are helping to make electric vehicle ownership more practical and accessible for residents, businesses and visitors."
Industry partners share equal enthusiasm for the rollout. Chris Pateman‑Jones, CEO of Connected Kerb, noted that the key to switching to an electric vehicle starts with having a convenient place to charge where people live and park for longer periods of time. He emphasised that expanding on-street options gives residents greater peace of mind that an electric vehicle can realistically fit into everyday life.
Ollie Chatten, CEO of EZO, echoed this sentiment, emphasising that their focus will remain on providing reliable, user-friendly rapid charging options to give drivers traveling through the wider Midlands region ultimate confidence.
While the funding and operators have been finalised, exact installation maps and deployment timelines have not yet been made public. Rutland County Council has stated that specific location choices and delivery schedules will be officially announced in the near future.
