Boost to Elmbridge EV charging network with 25 new charge points
Elmbridge residents and those who work in the borough are to benefit from the installation of 25 new electric vehicle charge points in the area.
Elmbridge Borough Council, in line with its 2030 Vision for a thriving and sustainable Elmbridge, appointed SMS plc, the smart energy infrastructure group, to increase EV charging availability by fitting the charging stations across eight separate, council-owned locations.
These installations will help to improve access to EV charging points in Elmbridge and support the borough’s fleet, employees and residents with switching to EVs, marking another positive step towards improving local air quality and reducing carbon emissions.
The EV chargers at Claygate, Cobham, Hersham and Walton-on-Thames will be available to residents between 18:00 and 08:00, seven days a week.
SMS also installed four 22kW chargers at Elmbridge Borough Council’s Civic Offices, and six 22kW and one 60kW rapid charger at the council’s Transport Depot. Infrastructure for a further nine passive chargers have also been placed there, which will be connected as more of the council’s fleet transition to electric vehicles as part of its Green Fleet Strategy. The combination of rapid and fast (overnight) chargers have been installed at the Depot to ensure the charging needs of Elmbridge’s EV fleet are fully met.
Work has also been undertaken to fit four 22kW chargers at Drewitts Court car park in Walton-on-Thames. The 25 EV chargers installed by SMS in total come in addition to the 12 EV chargers already located in Elmbridge’s pay and display car parks.
Councillor David Young, Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Sustainability at Elmbridge Borough Council said: “Working with SMS to improve accessibility to EV charging in the borough has been a crucial step forward in our sustainability journey, and will help our residents to make the switch to electric vehicles. At Elmbridge Borough Council, we prioritise protecting the natural environment, and this will help us to reduce our carbon emissions and improve air quality within our neighbourhoods.”
Lee Feihn, Head of EV Infrastructure at SMS, said: “Providing smart and accessible energy solutions for communities is the heart of what we do, and it’s a pleasure to partner with Elmbridge Borough Council to enhance EV charging options in the area and help them realise their sustainability goals.
“SMS’s industry expertise and engineering capabilities enable us to manage the end-to-end design, installation, and deployment of EV charging infrastructure in Elmbridge. We are confident that we’ve provided the best solution for the borough, which will ensure more of the area’s transport fleet, residents and workers have access to EV chargers as and when they need them.”
