On-street charging in Devon is to receive a funding boost. Scheduled to begin in early to mid-August, the project represents an early example of the government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund moving from initial award into physical delivery on the ground.
The initial phase will see 30 on-street charging points installed across the county. The rollout is aimed specifically at residents who lack private driveways or off-street parking, a factor that remains a primary obstacle to EV adoption in the region. Under the LEVI funding structure, capital is released incrementally per charge point successfully deployed.
The trial is designed to establish how on-street charging infrastructure can be effectively scaled to meet local demand across large, rural counties. Recent data highlights that the South West has historically lagged behind major urban centres in public charger provision, reflecting the logistical challenges of infrastructure deployment outside major cities.
char.gy currently manages the UK’s fourth-largest on-street charging network, with more than 5,000 public points in operation nationwide. The company has confirmed that all units deployed during the Devon trial will be powered exclusively by 100% renewable electricity.
If the initial 30-unit deployment proves successful, the data gathered will be used to structure the next phase of the county’s public charging rollout, providing local authorities with a clearer template for widespread residential coverage.
Commenting on the launch, John Lewis, chief executive of char.gy, said:
This trial is an important step in turning LEVI funding into real, usable infrastructure for communities. For many drivers in Devon, access to reliable on-street charging is essential to making the switch to electric. By starting with a focused trial, we can learn what works locally and help lay the foundations for a wider rollout that gives residents confidence to go electric.
Councillor Jaqui Hodgson, Devon County Council’s cabinet member for environment and biodiversity, added:
On-road transport makes up more than a quarter of Devon’s total carbon emissions and the delivery of more publicly accessible EV chargers is of vital importance to help address the climate emergency. Making it as easy as possible for people to charge their vehicles when and where they need to, outside their home, on streets, in public car parks and even on lamp posts, is crucial to encourage the take-up of EVs.