‘Plug In Suffolk’ launches with 100 stations

In England, EO Charging and Suffolk County Council are launching a charging network called ‘Plug-In Suffolk’ with 100 charging stations, which will be installed by local businesses across the county. This is the fully open public charging network in the UK, meaning that EV drivers make contactless payments with no need to register with networks or organisations.

EO Charging is also in talks with other authorities across the UK in regards to setting up similar networks. The first charging station was unveiled at a plant nursery with two 7 kW chargers and a pay kiosk. EO’s CEO Charlie Jardine was quoted saying: “Suffolk’s existing charging infrastructure is simply not fit for purpose if we are to see the mass adoption of EVs across the county. The ‘Plug In Suffolk’ network will play a vital role in increasing the density of publicly available fast EV chargers and will ensure that driving electric in Suffolk is hassle-free. Charging should be as easy as buying groceries, simply tap-and-go!”

The network is also partnered with the green energy supplier, Bulb, that offers renewably sourced energy for businesses installing charging stations at competitive rates. Head of Bulb Labs, Alexandra Deschamps-Sonsino also spoke of converting the region to a more green approach: “We’re on a mission to make the UK the greenest country on earth and are working to support the widespread adoption of electric vehicles in the UK.”

Councillor Richard Rout of Suffolk County Council made the intentions of going green clear in his statement regarding the installation of environmentally friendly infrastructure: “We’re working to reduce the barriers that drivers face when thinking about switching to EVs here in Suffolk. Installing charging infrastructure that not only covers a large rural area but is also available to all electric vehicle drivers is most certainly a challenge.”

pluginsuffolk.org, suffolk.gov.uk, energylivenews.com, fleetworld.co.uk,