UK public EV charging rollout
Four Key Signals in UK EV Infrastructure Expansion: LEVI Projects and Procurement Innovations
This briefing analyses four recent UK EV infrastructure developments, highlighting local authority initiatives and procurement innovations that support EV adoption for residents without off-street parking.
What changed this week
This week’s industry briefing highlights four significant developments in the UK’s electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure landscape, focusing on local authority initiatives and procurement mechanisms designed to expand public charging access. Kent County Council and North Northamptonshire Council have each launched Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) projects targeting residential areas where off-street parking is unavailable, partnering respectively with Urban Fox and Connected Kerb. These projects are supported by the UK government’s LEVI fund, a £381 million programme aimed at accelerating EV charger deployment for drivers without private parking. Additionally, London Councils has introduced a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) to streamline procurement of EV charge points, facilitating more efficient supplier engagement and infrastructure rollout across the capital.
Signal 1
Kent County Council has awarded a 20-year contract to Urban Fox to deliver the LEVI project, which will establish a network of public on-street EV chargers in locations where residents lack home charging options. This initiative is funded through a combination of Urban Fox’s private investment and the government-backed LEVI grant. The project specifically addresses a critical barrier to EV adoption: the absence of off-street parking for many residents, which limits the feasibility of home charging. By focusing on on-street infrastructure, Kent aims to enhance accessibility and convenience for EV users, supporting broader decarbonisation goals.
For UK EV infrastructure teams, this contract exemplifies a long-term public-private partnership model that leverages private capital alongside government funding to deliver sustainable charging networks. The 20-year term indicates a commitment to infrastructure maintenance and evolution, which is crucial for reliability and user confidence. Kent’s approach also underscores the importance of targeting residential areas with limited private parking, a common challenge across urban and suburban UK contexts.
Signal 2
North Northamptonshire Council has launched its own LEVI project in collaboration with Connected Kerb, aiming to install EV chargepoints in residential zones lacking off-street parking. Funded by the UK government’s LEVI programme, this initiative similarly focuses on expanding public charging availability to residents who cannot install chargers at home. The partnership with Connected Kerb reflects a growing trend of councils engaging specialist charge point operators to deliver tailored infrastructure solutions.
This signal highlights the replication of the LEVI model across different local authorities, demonstrating the fund’s role in enabling targeted infrastructure deployment. For commercial EV infrastructure providers, the North Northamptonshire project signals ongoing opportunities to partner with councils seeking to address local charging gaps. It also illustrates the strategic importance of aligning with government funding streams to support project viability and scale.
Signal 3
The Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund itself remains a pivotal government initiative, with £381 million allocated to support local authorities in England over the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years. The fund is designed to facilitate collaboration between councils and industry partners to transform EV charging availability, particularly for drivers without access to off-street parking. This substantial investment underscores the government’s commitment to overcoming one of the key barriers to EV adoption.
For UK EV infrastructure stakeholders, the LEVI Fund represents a critical source of capital and strategic direction. Its focus on residential on-street charging aligns with broader transport decarbonisation policies and urban planning priorities. Understanding the fund’s parameters and application processes is essential for companies aiming to engage with local authorities and secure contracts or partnerships. The fund also signals sustained government support for infrastructure expansion beyond initial pilot phases.
Signal 4
London Councils has introduced a new Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) developed with Proactis to streamline the procurement of EV infrastructure, including charge points. This system simplifies the bidding process for suppliers and assists local authorities in managing their purchasing needs more efficiently. By creating a flexible and accessible procurement framework, the DPS aims to accelerate the deployment of EV charging networks across London.
This procurement innovation is significant for UK EV infrastructure teams as it reduces administrative barriers and fosters competitive supplier engagement. The DPS model can serve as a blueprint for other regions seeking to optimise procurement processes amid growing demand for EV infrastructure. It also reflects a maturing market where procurement agility and supplier diversity are increasingly important to meet ambitious rollout targets.
Why this matters for UK EV infrastructure
Collectively, these signals illustrate a coordinated effort across multiple levels of government and industry to address the critical challenge of providing accessible EV charging for residents without off-street parking. The LEVI-funded projects in Kent and North Northamptonshire demonstrate practical implementations of government policy, while the LEVI Fund itself provides the financial backbone enabling such initiatives. Meanwhile, London Councils’ DPS addresses the procurement complexities that can slow infrastructure deployment.
For commercial operators, suppliers, and local authorities, these developments highlight the importance of aligning with government funding mechanisms and adopting innovative procurement strategies. The focus on residential on-street charging reflects a nuanced understanding of user needs and urban constraints, which will shape infrastructure design and deployment. Moreover, the long-term contracts and streamlined purchasing systems signal a maturing market environment conducive to sustained investment and growth.
Signals to watch
- Expansion of LEVI-funded projects beyond initial pilot areas, including potential new partnerships with charge point operators.
- Adoption of Dynamic Purchasing Systems or similar procurement frameworks by other UK regions, following London’s example.
- Updates on LEVI Fund allocations and guidance for local authorities and industry partners.
- Technological advancements in on-street charging solutions tailored to residential environments without off-street parking.
EV Signals perspective
These signals reinforce the critical role of targeted government funding and innovative procurement in overcoming infrastructure deployment challenges. The LEVI Fund’s focus on residents without off-street parking addresses a persistent barrier to EV adoption, and the projects in Kent and North Northamptonshire provide practical case studies of how local authorities can leverage this funding effectively. Meanwhile, London Councils’ DPS exemplifies how procurement innovation can accelerate infrastructure rollout by reducing complexity and fostering supplier competition.
For companies engaged in commercial EV infrastructure, staying informed about LEVI project developments and procurement frameworks is essential. EV Signals continues to monitor planning applications and procurement opportunities closely, providing intelligence that supports strategic decision-making in this evolving market. Understanding these signals can help stakeholders anticipate demand, align offerings with funding criteria, and engage effectively with local authorities.
Sources
- [Kent County Council Enhances EV Charging Infrastructure with Urban Fox](https://www.kent.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/travelling-around-kent/driving/electric-vehicles/improving-kents-electric-vehicle-infrastructure)
- [North Northamptonshire Council Launches LEVI Project with Connected Kerb](https://www.northnorthants.gov.uk/buses-and-transport/electric-vehicle-chargers/grants-and-support)
- [Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund Supports Expansion of Charging Networks](https://www.iea.org/policies/17519-local-ev-infrastructure-levi-fund)
- [London Councils Launches Dynamic Purchasing System for EV Charge Points](https://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/news-and-press-releases/2024/new-dynamic-purchasing-system-launched-supercharge-procurement-ev)
Sources