Peterborough to get more than 1,000 electric car chargers thanks to £1 million funds

Peterborough City Council’s cabinet is being asked to approve £1m of funding from The Combined Authority as part of the project, which will see Believ Limited install, operate and maintain the new facilities for the next 15 years.

Final charge point locations will be agreed following site surveys – but it is expected they will be on residential streets.

A report that will be put before the cabinet on Thursday (October 1), says: “The proposal represents a significant opportunity to accelerate Peterborough’s transition to cleaner, greener transport while improving access to EV charging for residents who do not have off-street parking. Through the preferred concession model, the council will use grant funding to unlock substantial private sector

investment, delivering a much larger and more accessible charging network than could be achieved through public funding alone.”

The report says that Believ Limited’s successful bid will deliver 1,058 charge points in Peterborough, including 873 additional charge points above the contract minimum, alongside commitments to affordability, accessibility, social value and hardware refresh during the contract term.

The contract also protects the council’s position through performance monitoring, pricing controls, risk transfer, an annual administration fee and a revenue share from electricity usage.

The report says that the move will benefit those without off street parking. It says: “Across Peterborough, much of the existing EV charging infrastructure is focused on destination charging locations such as workplaces, supermarkets and retail parks. Residents with access to off-street parking can also install charge points at home. However, residents without access to off-street parking have more limited options and often rely on destination chargers, which may be less convenient and less accessible for everyday use.”

The CPCA has been awarded £5,437,000 of LEVI capital funding to support the delivery of EV charging infrastructure across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Peterborough City Council's allocation of this funding is £1,075,770.05

The council will also receive a revenue share of 1 penny per kWh of electricity sold through each charge point.

Councillor Angus Ellis, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “This proposal is a significant chance to accelerate our city’s transition to cleaner, greener transport whilst improving access to EV charging for residents who do not

have off-street parking. The move ties in with our ongoing work to reduce carbon emissions and if approved, we will use grant funding to unlock substantial private sector investment, delivering a much larger and more accessible charging network than could

be achieved through public funding alone.

“Awarding the contract will also enable us to make full use of available national funding, supporting our net zero and inclusive growth ambitions, and ensuring that our communities benefit from modern, reliable and equitable EV infrastructure.

The recommendations provide a financially sustainable and future-focused approach that supports residents, attracts investment and positions Peterborough positively for the transition to zero-emission transport.”

For more information, read the full agenda at https://democracy.peterborough.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=116&MId=5398. The meeting takes place at 2pm at Sand Martin House.