West Northamptonshire Council has partnered with Char.gy to roll out one of the UK’s largest on-street electric vehicle charging networks, introducing more than 3,000 new charging sockets across the region. The initiative is funded by a £2.85m grant from the Government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund alongside significant private investment.

Following a competitive procurement process, the council appointed EV charging specialist Char.gy to lead the massive deployment.

The project focuses on increasing access to convenient and affordable charging for residents who rely on on-street parking and currently lack home-charging options. A major part of the network will utilise existing lamp columns, turning streetlights into charging stations to minimise street clutter and deployment costs.

EV charging locations were selected through a robust, evidence-based process prioritising residents without off-street parking and sites suggested by residents. Project leaders also worked closely with parish councils to identify the best locations for new EV charging points to ensure fair, accessible, and sustainable charging solutions for everyone.

The installation programme is due to begin in mid-2026, marking a significant step forward in preparing local infrastructure for the anticipated future rise in EV adoption.

Councillor Nigel Stansfield, Cabinet Member for Environment, Recycling and Waste at West Northamptonshire Council, said: “This is a transformative investment in our area’s future. By delivering thousands of accessible, convenient and fairly priced on-street charging points, we are making it easier for residents to choose cleaner travel and invest in electric vehicles if they choose to.

“Working with Char.gy allows us to scale up quickly using existing infrastructure and ensure our communities are well-prepared for the increasing demand for electric vehicles. This is a major step toward a more sustainable West Northants, and I’m pleased to see this ambitious programme moving forward.”

John Lewis, CEO of Char.gy, added: “This investment will make a real difference to people across West Northamptonshire who don’t have driveways or home chargers. By using lamp columns on residential streets, the council is bringing charging closer to where people live, without major disruption to neighbourhoods.”

Residents will be kept updated on installation timelines, site locations and guidance on using the new charging points through WNC’s dedicated webpages, Char.gy’s website and council social media channels.