More than 300 new charge points are being rolled out across Portsmouth to make it easier for residents to charge their vehicles close to home.

In partnership with charge point operator Zest, Portsmouth City Council is installing the new charge points, with over 150 already live on lampposts and bollards throughout the city.

The major upgrade to the city’s EV infrastructure is supported by funding from the Government’s On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS), alongside matched investment from Zest.

More than 3,000 Portsmouth residents already drive plug-in or hybrid vehicles, and forecasts suggest this could rise to over 20,000 by 2030 – around one in four residents.

This rollout is part of a wider plan to meet that growing demand and gear the city up for the new era of electric mobility, particularly in residential areas without off-street parking.

Councillor Peter Candlish, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “We’re entering a new era for transport, with mass adoption of electric vehicles. This requires making EV charging accessible to all. With the new EV charge points now being installed in convenient residential locations, especially where off-street parking isn’t available, we’re future-proofing the city and making it easier for more people to choose to switch to an EV. It’s an important part of our overall plan for cleaner air, lower emissions and healthier travel options.”

Robin Heap, CEO at Zest, added: “Forward-thinking local authorities committed to sustainable transport play a key role in the electrification of our roads, and it’s crucial we continue to deliver convenient charging options that fit easily into people’s lives.”

The locations of the new Portsmouth charge points, along with regular updates as new charge points are activated across the city, is available on the Zest website.