Stockport Council has signed up EV charging network Be.EV to install chargers across the borough in a £15m deal.

Be.EV said the deal was a great example of how the public sector can partner with the private

The chargers come at no cost to the local council, with residents also getting a share of the revenue. The entire project is expected to be fully operational by the end of the year.

A total of 54 rapid and ultra-rapid chargers will be installed, spread across 20 council-owned locations and able to charge 100 cars at once. At some sites, the new chargers will build upon existing Be.EV chargers to create more capacity and faster charging.

They’ll be managed by Be.EV and open for use by anyone but Be.EV members will get a discounted rate.

Installation will cost around £8m and the project factors in ongoing operational costs of £7m over the next 10 years. The work is also future-proofed and will allow for further expansion depending on usage.

Cllr Mark Roberts, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, said: “I am so pleased that this exciting partnership will be delivering for residents really soon. This work helps us as a council to future-proof our borough and the needs of our local people.

“The whole of the Stockport, including the council, residents and businesses, must make big changes to reduce our emissions now so that we stop contributing to climate change and providing this infrastructure will help us on that challenging journey.

“Installing more electric vehicle chargers is a key element for the council with regards to its commitment to taking action on climate change as we aim for Stockport to be carbon neutral by 2038.”

Be.EV, which is Transport for Greater Manchester’s preferred charging partner, said Stockport Council had taken a well-thought-out, intelligent approach to providing EV chargers.

CEO Asif Ghafoor commented: “It is a great example of how the public sector can partner with the private. The council wants to deliver cleaner air and they have found these sites for EV chargers. It is our job now to bring the expertise and the commercial incentive to make them fabulous.

“They are the first step in helping the borough and its residents hit their green targets while bringing a financial benefit as well.

“We want other councils to sit up and take notice of this gold standard development or they will be left behind.”