EV charge point operator (CPO) Believ has partnered with councils in Ayrshire to deliver more than 600 EV chargers across the region.

The rollout will deliver chargers at around 300 locations, supporting both visitors and residents, including those without access to private charging. Installation of the first new charge points is expected to begin in early 2027.

The 15-year agreement will be delivered alongside Transport Scotland and the Scottish Futures Trust. The project will combine over £2.8m of funding from Scottish Government’s EV Infrastructure Fund with more than £15m in committed capital investment from Believ, with the CPO managing all charge point operation and ongoing maintenance.

The infrastructure will provide a mix of charging speeds, providing practical charging options for drivers requiring long-stay or overnight charging, as well as faster top-ups.

The initiative will include a focus on urban, rural and island communities, extending access to EV charging across the region, including the Isle of Arran.

The partnership includes roughly 180 new chargers for East Ayrshire, 210 for North Ayrshire and 220 for South Ayrshire. To future-proof the region, the project also builds in passive infrastructure for over 450 additional chargers, allowing quick upgrades without disruptive roadworks when EV adoption rises.

At least five accessible charging locations in each council area will be included in the rollout, to help ensure public charging is accessible for drivers with a range of mobility needs.

Believ will also take over management of existing chargers, helping to build on the foundations already delivered through the ChargePlace Scotland network. Drivers will be informed on the migration process via appropriate channels, including social media and council websites.

Guy Bartlett, Believ CEO, said Ayrshire is an important region for Believ’s first Scottish public sector partnership.

“This partnership builds on the foundations already delivered through the ChargePlace Scotland network and will help support the transition to electric vehicles across Ayrshire’s urban, rural and island communities. Believ’s investment and experience across all charging speeds will help ensure the right infrastructure is delivered in the right locations for residents and visitors.”

Councillor Douglas Reid, leader of East Ayrshire Council, said: “This is an important step that all three councils are taking in a bid to be net-zero by 2030, and the transition from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles will play a huge role in helping us achieve this.

“By working collaboratively, we have secured substantial investment that will benefit communities, support economic growth, and help reduce carbon emissions across the region. We now look forward to being able to deliver a modern, accessible and sustainable electric vehicle charging network for the whole of Ayrshire.”