Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk has announced that work has started on the installation of 26 electric vehicle (EV) charging points in seven locations across the area.
The first points to be installed will be in Chapel Street car park, Lynnsport North car park, Gaywood Library car park in King’s Lynn and Valentine Road car park in Hunstanton.
The fast 7kW chargers are designed for overnight charging or for single use over an extended period of the day, with payment being made through an app.
Minor disruption on installation sites is expected due to cordoned off parking spaces. Work on the first phase is expected to be done by August 19.
The next phase will reportedly include the car park at Centre Point in Fairstead, Austin Street East car park in King’s Lynn and North Street car park in Burnham Market. Once completed, the outlets should support the charging of 52 vehicles.
All chargers are expected to be operational by mid October.
Paul Kunes, councillor and cabinet member for the environment, said: “The Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk is fully committed to playing its part in tackling climate change and has already taken many steps on its own net zero journey.
“We are also committed to helping our community to do the same.
“Lack of off-street parking at home can pose a barrier when people are considering the switch to electric vehicles, but we are removing that by making nearby charging facilities available.
“It is also a benefit for visitors who drive to the area in electric vehicles.”
The local authority secured £195,000 in funding from the government’s Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) and almost £90,000 from Bp Pulse, a charging infrastructure supplier. It contributed £73,500 itself to the project.
The council has ring-fenced an additional £87,000 for a substation at Austin Street to help with energy supply. Bp Pulse has said it will cover the costs of maintenance for seven years.
The outlets have been installed in council-owned parking spaces. The council claims parking will be free between 6pm and 8am for charging vehicles.
