West Northamptonshire Council has appointed Char.gy to deliver more than 3,000 on-street electric vehicle charging sockets across the area, part of one of the largest local on-street EV charging programmes currently underway in the UK. The rollout follows a competitive procurement process and is funded through the government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund, backed by substantial private investment. Char.gy, a UK on-street charging specialist, will fit the majority of new units to existing lamp columns on council and parish council infrastructure, limiting disruption and installation cost. The programme is aimed at residents who park on-street and currently have no home-charging option.
Highlights
- More than 3,000 EV charging sockets are planned across West Northamptonshire, funded through the LEVI Fund and private investment.
- A large proportion of the new chargers will be lamp column units mounted on existing council and parish infrastructure to keep costs and disruption down.
- Charging locations were chosen through an evidence-based process that prioritizes residents without off-street parking, alongside sites suggested by residents themselves.
- Installation is scheduled to begin in mid-2026.
How the Rollout Will Work
The new charge points will run on competitive user tariffs, with the programme designed to close the access gap for residents who rely on on-street parking and currently lack a home-charging option. Locations were identified through an evidence-based selection process that prioritized households without off-street parking, alongside sites proposed by residents. The Council said it is working closely with parish councils to pinpoint additional sites, with the goal of fair, accessible charging coverage across West Northamptonshire.
Using lamp columns for most installations lets the Council and Char.gy make use of infrastructure that already exists rather than building new supply points from scratch — an approach intended to accelerate deployment and support the area’s longer-term sustainability goals. Installation work is due to begin in mid-2026.
Government and Council Reaction
Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Minister Keir Mather tied the rollout to the government’s broader charging investment, framing it as an effort to remove one of the biggest obstacles to EV adoption. The West Northamptonshire programme carries $3.81 million (£2.85 million) in government funding, part of a wider $802.8 million (£600 million) the government has committed to expanding the UK’s charging network.
“Drivers in West Northamptonshire will soon have thousands more reasons to go electric, with over 3,000 new public charge points rolling out thanks to £2.85m of government funding,” Mather said. “We know charging availability is one of the biggest barriers to switching, which is why we’re tackling it head on with over £600 million to rapidly expand the UK’s charging network so drivers can charge at home or on the go with confidence, wherever they are.”
Cllr Nigel Stansfield, WNC’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Recycling and Waste, called the investment transformative for the area. “This is a transformative investment in our area’s future. By delivering thousands of accessible, convenient and fairly priced on-street charging points, we are making it easier for residents to choose cleaner travel and invest in electric vehicles if they choose to,” Stansfield said. “Working with Char.gy allows us to scale up quickly using existing infrastructure and ensure our communities are well-prepared for the increasing demand for electric vehicles. This is a major step toward a more sustainable West Northants, and I’m pleased to see this ambitious programme moving forward.”
Char.gy’s Role in the Rollout
The contract came out of a competitive procurement process — a route Char.gy has used to win on-street charging work with other UK councils. John Lewis, Char.gy CEO, said the West Northamptonshire deployment specifically targets residents without driveways or home chargers. “This investment will make a real difference to people across West Northamptonshire who don’t have driveways or home chargers. By using lamp columns on residential streets, the Council is bringing charging closer to where people live, without major disruption to neighbourhoods,” Lewis said. “We’re proud to be working with West Northamptonshire Council to deliver a reliable and affordable on-street charging network that supports local residents and helps make switching to an electric vehicle a practical option for everyone.”
What Residents Can Expect
Residents will be kept updated on installation timelines, site locations, and guidance on using the new charging points through West Northamptonshire Council’s dedicated webpages, Char.gy’s website, and Council social media channels.
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