Watford has once again achieved a prominent position in the UK's top 10 for charging devices per 100,000 population...
This milestone underscores the town's commitment to sustainable transportation and its robust electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure.
The significant progress in Watford's EV infrastructure is a result of three successful funding bids by Watford Borough Council under the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS). It forms a crucial component of the ‘Transforming Travel in Watford 2021-2041’ strategy, which aims to revolutionise travel patterns within the town.
Phase one of the initiative saw the installation of 74 new EV charging points, making a notable impact on the town's charging network. Phase two, which is currently underway, will see an additional 79 charging points once fully installed and connected by UK Power Networks.
Looking ahead, phase three will introduce 48 new charging points and 40 lamp column charge points, further expanding the town's EV infrastructure.
These initiatives have been backed by the government's Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) and supported by the Energy Saving Trust. They have been largely funded through a partnership between OZEV, which contributes 50% of the funding for each phase, and the Watford Borough Council’s contract with Blink Charging, which covers the remaining 50% of the installation costs.
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: “Our goal has always been to create a greener and more sustainable future for Watford’s residents, and this achievement underscores our work to leading the way in electric vehicle use and infrastructure. It will also benefit us all by ensuring cleaner air in the town.”
Councillor Ian Stotesbury, Portfolio Holder for Transport and Sustainability, said: “The continued growth of Watford’s EV charging network reflects the town's commitment to sustainability and clean transportation. As the number of plug-in vehicles in Watford rises, the expanded network of charging points ensures that residents have convenient access to the infrastructure needed to support their electric vehicles.”
As the world continues to tackle climate change, initiatives like electric vehicle charging points will play an increasingly important role in building sustainable communities. You can find out more about what the council is doing – including its target to net zero carbon town by 2030 or earlier at www.watford.gov.uk/sustainablewatford.
