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char.gy has achieved a significant milestone by securing a contract with Richmond and Wandsworth councils to enhance their EV charging infrastructure. This partnership will see char.gy migrating and integrating established EV charging infrastructure, expanding its network by a third.
Key Highlights:
- char.gy chosen for technical expertise in managing network transition
- Migration over replacement offers flexibility and continuity for councils
- First phase completion by July 2024, full transfer by November 2025
- Partnership fosters competition, improves service quality and affordability
- Expansion follows substantial funding, bringing char.gy’s total to £100 million
Richmond and Wandsworth councils were among the pioneers in rolling out extensive on-street charging networks under the 5-year Go Ultra Low City Scheme (GULCS). As this scheme concludes, the councils sought to enhance service provision for residents through a competitive procurement process. This innovative approach involved network migration rather than replacement.
char.gy successfully met the technical and commercial requirements set by Richmond and Wandsworth, securing the contract to manage the migration and operation of 950 charge points across the two boroughs. This award aligns with the councils’ strategy to provide a reliable, equitable, and affordable EV charging service.
The charge points will be transferred in three phases. The first phase, integrating 368 charge points, will be completed by the end of July 2024, with the entire transfer finalized by November 2025. This partnership illustrates a valuable option for councils nearing the end of a contract, offering the ability to migrate instead of renewing or replacing their existing infrastructure. This approach saves time, eliminates capital costs, ensures service continuity, and minimizes roadside disruption for residents.
Additionally, moving away from a single-provider model fosters a competitive marketplace, promoting accountability, fair pricing, and consistent service improvements. char.gy, a leading supplier and operator of EV charge points in the UK, is committed to making public EV charging simple and accessible with industry-leading reliability and affordability. Founded in 2016, char.gy currently manages a network of over 3,000 charging points. This migration will expand their network by over a third, following a recent substantial capital injection from Zouk Capital, bringing their total funding to £100 million.
John Lewis, CEO of char.gy, commented, “We are proud to have been chosen by Richmond and Wandsworth councils as a partner to serve EV drivers across these London boroughs. This is a UK first and it represents a crucial development in the way EV infrastructure can be rolled out. It offers councils a greater degree of choice in their partnerships with private companies, bringing healthy competition to the market, which ultimately encourages operators to provide the best service possible to both councils and EV drivers.”
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