Two locations in both Wimborne and Verwood are amongst 44 new electric vehicle charging points which will be ready to use from February next year.

In total there will be 44 new points in Dorset Council owned car parks.

The fast (22kW) chargepoints, using 100 per cent renewable energy supplied by Statkraft, will enable drivers to charge their electric vehicles whilst visiting the county’s towns.

The fast chargepoints are well suited to town centre car parks for drivers who want a quick ‘top up’. Vehicles can also be fully charged at the chargepoints. This normally takes between two and four hours from empty, depending on the vehicle’s battery capacity.

It is cheaper to charge an electric vehicle than refuelling a petrol or diesel vehicle. To fully charge, for example, a Nissan Leaf (40kWh model), would take less than two hours and cost approximately £12.50p. Normal car parking charges will apply whilst charging.

Cllr Ray Bryan, Cabinet portfolio holder – Highways, Travel and Environment, said, “Providing drivers with more chargepoints for their electric vehicles is an exciting step towards our commitment to becoming carbon-neutral. It also helps make life easier for motorists who are seeking more environmentally friendly methods of travel.

“With Government plans to phase out sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030, and more people seeking to go electric, now is the time to offer Dorset’s residents, businesses and visitors sustainable travel options.”

Joju Charging will commence installation of the chargepoints in January and February. Once active, the chargepoints will appear on Zap Map. The car parks are:

• Langton Road, Blandford Forum, DT11 7DZ
• Fairfield long stay, Dorchester, DT1 1QW
• Wollaston Field, Dorchester, DT1 1EQ
• Gas Lane, Gillingham, SP8 4AT
• Holmbush, Lyme Regis, DT7 3HX
• Bell Street, Shaftesbury, SP7 8AP
• Coldharbour, Sherborne, DT9 4HA
• Old Market Yard, Sherborne, DT9 3HR
• Potters Wheel, Manor Way, Verwood, BH31 7AQ
• The Hub, Verwood, BH31 7QE
• Rempstone Centre, Wareham, BH20 4NX
• West Bay Road, West Bay, DT6 4EL
• Governor’s Lane, Weymouth, DT4 8DD
• Lodmoor, Weymouth, DT4 7SX
• Melcombe Regis, Weymouth, DT4 7DW
• Swannery, Weymouth, DT4 7TY
• King Street, Wimborne Minster, BH21 1EA
• Westfield Close, Wimborne Minster, BH21 1ES

Work at the sites is planned to start in January 2021, when SSE and Western Power Distribution will begin installing new electrical connections.

The installation and management costs of the chargepoints will be met by Joju Charging and their funding partners, Gronn Kontakt (owned by Statkraft). In return, Dorset Council receives a profit share generated by each chargepoint for the next 15 years.

Cllr Bryan said, “Dorset Council has a key leadership role to play in tackling climate change and dealing with its consequences, but we do need private sector investment to help us achieve this. Therefore, I am pleased we are working closely with Joju Charging and Gronn Kontakt to drive forward the use of electric vehicles in Dorset.”

Future plans include replacement of Dorset Council’s five existing rapid chargers in spring 2021 at the following car parks:

• East Street, Bridport, DT6 3LL
• Trinity Street, Dorchester, DT1 1AG
• Charmouth Road, Lyme Regis, DT7 3DR
• Harbourside, Weymouth, DT4 8NA
• Allenview West, Wimborne Minster, BH21 1AU

The council is also looking at alternative ways to fund further sites that cannot be privately funded through the contract with Joju Charging. Residents and businesses are encouraged to provide suggestions for locations of further charging points by completing the online form at www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/parking/charging-your-electric-vehicle.aspx