Ambitious vision to roll out electric vehicle charging

The next steps in the council’s mission to help more residents and businesses switch to electric vehicles (EVs) have been agreed.

It’s now seeking a long-term partner to work together on installing, running and developing a varied, high-quality network of EV charging points across the borough.

These will be accessible, reliable and financially sustainable to encourage EV adoption and reduce barriers that can deter some people.

This includes improving access for residents who don't have a driveway or other forms of off-street parking, as they face greater obstacles in switching.

The initiative supports the council’s wider aims of tackling the climate emergency and improving air quality through reducing emissions, while encouraging all types of sustainable travel.

It’s underpinned by an EV Charging Strategy, which was approved in January 2025 and will ensure fairer access with an impending Government ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles.

Seeking partnership with spark

At a meeting of the council’s Executive on Thursday 29 October, members agreed to invite bids for potential partners, with a view to appointing one by spring 2027.

All technical options will be considered including residential and destination charging, rapid and ultra-rapid charging, charging hubs, cross-kerb charging and any other emerging technologies.

This will ensure the network can respond to changing demand as more motorists make the switch. No overall number is confirmed yet, but the council hopes to achieve its target of more than 400 chargepoints by 2030.

Different sites would serve different purposes, from improving access and inclusion to serving commercial demand and generating income, with the council receiving a share of the surplus.

Lessons from previous installations

The council already controls 90 or so chargepoints across the borough and owns about half of them. 

Its experiences to date with its existing network have shown that a single partnership should offer a consistent, unified approach and avoid the challenges that come with fragmented ownership.

The partner will be expected to provide the widest possible access and meet high energy efficiency and carbon reduction standards, and to adopt and develop the council’s existing owned assets.

Any surplus will go towards the council’s efforts to responsibly generate income towards services. 

Like all local authorities, it faces financial challenges and must do all it can to provide for the residents who need the most support.

Flexibility as technology improves

Cllr Adrian Betteridge, executive member for active travel, transport and highways, said: “We’re committed to supporting all forms of sustainable travel and EV adoption plays an important role.

“We’ve learned valuable lessons from our initial, smaller-scale EV charging provision and now we’re ready to scale up our support through a strategic partnership.

“This model will ensure both sides are focused on providing a high-quality service and growing the network sustainably, rather than short-term profits, and will enable additional investment to help people switch to EVs.

“By factoring in a wide range of technologies and needs, we’ll be able to respond and adapt our approach as the market evolves, including offerings such as cross-kerb charging.”

Cllr Imogen Shepherd-DuBey, executive member for finance and governance, said: “We’re looking for an experienced partner with knowledge of EV charging infrastructure to help us realise our ambitions, and we’re offering grant funding to help make this happen.

“This initiative will take time to implement while bids are fairly considered and details of any partnership arrangement are negotiated.

“However, it will count towards many of our long-term environmental, financial and sustainable travel objectives while enabling fairer access to EVs.”

Electric future dawning soon

About 40,000 EVs could be registered in Wokingham Borough by 2030, more than 30 per cent of registered cars, contributing over 44 per cent of the total annual carbon savings the council is targeting.

This will require a significant increase in the number of chargepoints, which is best provided in a planned way than with isolated installations.

The council will work with its partner for an initial 15-year term, with the option to extend for up to five years, and may invest up to £5 million with the partner matching on a roughly equal basis.

Its investment would be fully funded through income generated during the contract period, and excludes agreed plans for solar-powered EV charging at Mereoak Park & Ride near the M4.