Infrastructure specialist Amey has partnered with Manchester City Council to boost EV charging access with on-street charging.

Under the scheme, residential street lighting are being transformed into chargers, providing a ‘close-to-home’ solution for drivers without driveways.

The pilot began on 1 March 2026, with many lamppost charge points already live and 38 units being installed in total, operated and maintained by Amey. By utilising existing lampposts for EV charging points, the scheme makes efficient use of existing street infrastructure to provide convenient charging options for residents and visitors alike.

Locations were selected in collaboration with Manchester City Council in areas where homes are less likely to have driveways and where on-street charging is most needed. As part of the trial, some chargers have been installed near dropped kerbs to explore how on-street charging can better support accessibility needs of EV drivers.

The Manchester pilot builds on the successful delivery of Amey’s first EV charging installations in Trafford, and marks the next phase in the company’s growing role in supporting local authorities to deliver accessible, future-ready EV infrastructure at scale.

Funded by the City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlements, the trial will run until 2029 to monitor demand and usage patterns before a potential wider rollout.

Anna Gornall, EVCI account director at Amey, said the pilot was a “natural progression in building a more flexible and accessible charging network” following the successful installation of the first EV charge points in Trafford.

Councillor Tracey Rawlins, executive member for clean air, environment and transport, said the pilot was a practical way of bringing EV charging closer to where people live, especially for households that cannot install a charger at home.

“As more drivers begin to consider electric vehicles, it is important that Manchester tests solutions that work for real streets and real communities.”

Drivers can initiate charging sessions via the Amey EV Charging app, QR codes or roaming cards.

Residents can view charger locations and availability via the Amey EV Charging app or Amey’s EV Charging social channels.