Verwood will gain two places to charge electric cars this month as Dorset Council rolls out its plan to install 44 chargepoints across the county.
There will be two car parks in Verwood with spaces dedicated to charging cars – in Potters Wheel, Manor Way and at The Hub.
Each point will be able to give 22kW of electricity, reportedly using 100% renewable energy supplied by Statkraft.
The installation and management costs of the chargepoints will be met by Joju Charging and their funding partners, Gronn Kontakt (owned by Statkraft). In return, Dorset Council receive a profit share generated by each chargepoint for the next 15 years.
Verwood had an electric vehicle charging point at Morrisons was removed after it stopped working shortly after it was installed.
Currently, there is approved planning permission to install two points at the Texaco Garage on Ringwood Road but there are no plans to install these as yet.
The new Lidl supermarket has also proposed to install chargers in its car park once built.
Councillor Bryan said: “Dorset Council has a key leadership role to play in tackling climate change and dealing with its consequences, but we do need private sector investment to help us achieve this. Therefore, I am pleased we are working closely with Joju Charging and Gronn Kontakt to drive forward the use of electric vehicles in Dorset.”
Chris Jardine, Technical Director at Joju Charging, said: “The Government has sent a clear signal with the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030 – the future of transport is electric. That means installing millions of EV chargers in homes, businesses and public places.
“Our work installing charge points for councils across the south of England was recognised with the Public Sector Infrastructure Project of the Year at this year’s EVIEs Awards. We also received the Contractor of the Year Award for our wider work installing charge points in homes and businesses.”
Councillor Ray Bryan, Cabinet Portfolio Holder – Highways, Travel and Environment, said: “Providing drivers with more chargepoints for their electric vehicles is an exciting step towards our commitment to becoming carbon-neutral. It also helps make life easier for motorists who are seeking more environmentally friendly methods of travel.
“With Government plans to phase out sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030, and more people seeking to go electric, now is the time to offer Dorset’s residents, businesses and visitors sustainable travel options.”
There are 18 sites in total, all listed below:
Langton Road, Blandford Forum, DT11 7DZ
Fairfield long stay, Dorchester, DT1 1QW
Wollaston Field, Dorchester, DT1 1EQ
Gas Lane, Gillingham, SP8 4AT
Holmbush, Lyme Regis, DT7 3HX
Bell Street, Shaftesbury, SP7 8AP
Coldharbour, Sherborne, DT9 4HA
Old Market Yard, Sherborne, DT9 3HR
Potters Wheel, Manor Way, Verwood, BH31 7AQ
The Hub, Verwood, BH31 7QE
Rempstone Centre, Wareham, BH20 4NX
West Bay Road, West Bay, DT6 4EL
Governor’s Lane, Weymouth, DT4 8DD
Lodmoor, Weymouth, DT4 7SX
Melcombe Regis, Weymouth, DT4 7DW
Swannery, Weymouth, DT4 7TY
King Street, Wimborne Minster, BH21 1EA
Westfield Close, Wimborne Minster, BH21 1ES
Future plans include replacement of Dorset Council’s five existing rapid chargers in spring 2021 at the following car parks:
East Street, Bridport, DT6 3LL
Trinity Street, Dorchester, DT1 1AG
Charmouth Road, Lyme Regis, DT7 3DR
Harbourside, Weymouth, DT4 8NA
Allenview West, Wimborne Minster, BH21 1AU
The council is also looking at alternative ways to fund further sites that cannot be privately funded through the contract with Joju Charging. Residents and businesses are encouraged to provide suggestions for locations of further charging points by completing the online form.