Highways England awards £2.8m charging point contracts

Highways England has awarded a £2.8m contract to help people take longer journeys in electric vehicles. The roads body is committed to helping improve the nation’s air quality and aims to ensure 95% of its motorways and major A roads are within 20 miles of a charge point. 

As part of this commitment the company has awarded contracts to BP Chargemaster and Swarco UK, which will see more than 50 electric vehicle charging points being installed across the country within the next nine months. 

Highways England’s Mark Collins, environmental designated fund (carbon) portfolio manager and project lead said: “To help improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions we’re introducing more electric charging points, at locations near to the network, for example at nearby town centres. This shows that we are looking ahead to meet the future demand for this facility.

“This contract is about supporting drivers of electric vehicles using our network. It will give them additional charging facilities just off England’s motorways and major A roads to help them make longer journeys and reduce the anxiety of potentially running out of power. We look forward to the benefits this will provide drivers on our roads.”

BP Chargemaster will carry out work in the north of the country and Swarco UK Ltd in the south. It includes initial installation and commissioning of facilities followed by ongoing operation and maintenance for the seven-year period of the contract.

David Martell, chief executive of BP Chargemaster, said: “Access to convenient, fast and reliable charging points across the UK will help enable the mass adoption of electric vehicles. We have been focused on creating such infrastructure over the past ten years and are very proud to be working with Highways England to expand the provision of rapid charging points so that an even greater number of drivers can make the switch to electric.”

Justin Meyer, general manager at SWARCO eVolt, said: “We are delighted to have been selected by Highways England for this project to expand the national network of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, it is testament to the range and reliability of our systems and our strong support network across the UK.”

The work being carried out under the contract is in addition to electric charging points being installed as part of Highways England’s collaboration with local authorities during the current road investment period (2015 to 2021).