Southend-on-Sea City Council is rolling out thousands of new public EV charging spaces across the city in partnership with Zest.

More than 3,000 charging spaces, including a combination of lamp post, fast and rapid chargers, will go live in a range of locations under the new 15-year agreement.

The project represents one of the largest local EV charging deployments in the UK, supporting Southend-on-Sea’s ambition to create a cleaner, more sustainable transport system for all.

The charging rollout is backed by £1.4m from the Government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund, as well as significant investment from Zest, which says it’s providing support at no cost to the council or the taxpayer.

The initiative will ensure residents, businesses, and visitors have convenient, reliable access to EV charging, helping to reduce carbon emissions and improve local air quality.

The new network will roll out in phases, with installation due to kick off early next year. Sites will be chosen to ensure equitable access for all communities, particularly areas without off-street parking.

Councillor Daniel Cowan, leader of Southend-on-Sea City Council, said it was a big moment for the city.

“By bringing thousands of new EV charging spaces to our streets, we’re making it easier for people across our city to choose cleaner, greener ways to travel. This project is about more than infrastructure, it’s about making sure every resident, every business and every visitor has access to the tools they need to be part of a more sustainable future.”

Robin Heap, CEO of Zest, commented: “Southend-on-Sea is setting a benchmark for how cities can lead the transition to cleaner transport with their ambitious EV infrastructure deployment plans. The partnership is designed to make EV ownership practical for everyone, especially communities without off-street parking.”