Manx Utilities is working on a major upgrade of public charging on the Isle of Man in partnership with Evolt Charging.

The project will upgrade public EV infrastructure across the Isle of Man with newer and faster charging

The major investment, reported to be in excess of £100,000, will see key locations across the island equipped with new, faster chargers, installed and managed by the Evolt Charging team.

The firms said the work follows the withdrawal of current supplier Pod Point from the public charging market.

Manx Utilities added that the transition, which is due to be completed by the end of the year, would deliver a smarter, faster and more reliable charging experience for all EV drivers.

The majority of existing single-phase 7kW charge points will be upgraded where possible to three-phase 22kW units with load balancing capabilities, allowing for faster vehicle charging and better accommodation of the growing number of EVs on the road.

Manx Utilities chair John Wannenburgh said the upgrade would deliver a “robust and reliable” charging network able to meet future needs.

“With this upgrade, we are confident that our infrastructure will continue to support the growing number of EV drivers and contribute to a more efficient sustainable future for all,” he commented.

The project starts at Manx Utilities’ Ballacottier HQ, the Comis Hotel and on Loch Promenad.

During the transition, some charging points may be temporarily out of service. Any outage times and locations will be notified on the Manx Utilities website and the Pod Point app. Drivers will also be able to access a freephone service 24/7 from November.

Rapid chargers already in place at the Sea Terminal and Tesco stores in Peel, Port Erin & Ramsey will not be replaced, but will be integrated onto the new platform.

The new Evolt infrastructure will deliver user-friendly features, including RFID card access for easy, contactless charging, compatible across both the UK and Europe. Multiple charging options will also be available, such as pay-as-you-go via WebPay or contactless payment at DC rapid chargers. Options also include app-based charging through the Swarco eConnect App and Pod Point App, during the transition to the Evolt eConnect App.

In addition, card readers may be installed on sites where multiple charge points are in place, such as Shaw’s Brow multi-storey car park in Douglas.

Pod Point charging posts in good condition will be redeployed for Manx Utilities’ fleet charging, while others will be returned to Pod Point for recycling.

Anne Buckingham, managing director of Evolt Charging, commented: “Upgrading the charging infrastructure with new, future-proof technology and new service support from a business that is here for the long term will deliver a smarter, faster and more reliable charging experience for all electric vehicle drivers on the island.”