Electric vehicle charging points in Dorset

Installation of a new network of rapid charging points for electric vehicles (EVs) is underway in Poole, Bournemouth and Dorset.

Over the next ten weeks, the ChargerNet partnership will install 18 EV chargers benefiting electric car drivers who live, or work in the region as well as those visiting the areas. There will be five rapid chargers installed in Poole with a further five in Bournemouth and eight in Dorset.

Rapid chargers extend the range of electric vehicles by recharging them in less than 40 minutes, compared to the 4-8 hours it usually takes to charge at home, allowing people to continue with their journeys and businesses to keep their electric vehicles on the roads all day.

Seven chargers are currently being installed, with the first charger at Poole’s Civic Centre pay and display car park already available for use. There is a small charge of £4 for using these EV rapid chargers. Drivers can join the Charge Your Car scheme or pay by phone or Charge Your Car app.

It will take approximately one week to prepare the electricity supply and install the charger unit at each of the remaining sites. It is anticipated that the rest of the chargers will be available in April and May in the following locations:

In Poole
• Ashley Road, Poole
• Old Orchard, Poole
• Poole Road, Westbourne
• Seldown Lane, Lighthouse Arts Centre, Poole

In Bournemouth
• Hawkwood Road car park, (adjacent to library), Boscombe
• Madeira Road multi storey car park, Bournemouth
• Richmond Gardens multi storey car park, Bournemouth
• Pound Lane car park, Kinson
• Christchurch Road, near Lansdowne roundabout, Bournemouth

In Dorset
• East Street car park, Bridport
• Saxon Square, Christchurch
• Trinity Street car park, Dorchester
• Charmouth Road car park, Lyme Regis
• Harbourside car park, Weymouth
• Allenview West car park, Wimborne Minster

These locations were chosen as they are strategically close to the main routes between the M27 and Exeter as well as Yeovil and the South Coast.

Nigel Hutton, Transport Policy Manager, Borough of Poole, said: “These new chargers are really great news not only for those people who already use electric vehicles but also for those residents and businesses who may be thinking about using them in the future. Modern electric vehicles are just as easy to drive as an automatic car and with extremely low running costs, they help drivers save money whilst being good for the environment too. This new network of chargers will also make us an attractive choice when people decide on their holiday destination and anyone within 100 miles will be able to use their Electric Vehicle to visit Poole for a day out.”

Ian Kalra, Head of Transportation Services, Bournemouth Borough Council, said: “We are currently rolling out the town’s largest ever transport programme to give people better options on how they travel. Electric vehicles are a great choice for those wanting to travel longer distances but reduce their emissions at the same time.

“The rapid charging points will be available at five popular locations within the town, making it quicker and easier for those choosing to travel more sustainably.”

Mike Harries, Dorset County Council’s director for environment and economy, said: “These electric charging points make it much easier for communities and people with electric cars to travel around Dorset. We support people with such cars to visit and access towns in Dorset. From this it will persuade more drivers to investigate the benefits of electric vehicles and help us reduce the carbon emissions.”

Borough of Poole, Bournemouth Borough Council and Dorset County Council were jointly awarded a grant from the Government Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) for the £900,000 project to install these rapid chargers.

The aim is to provide sufficient charging points throughout the country to reassure drivers that electric vehicles can be used for longer journeys and to encourage more motorists to drive them.