The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Property authorised the procurement of a provider to install, manage, and maintain electric vehicle charging points, photovoltaic cells, and battery storage at Harbury Village Hall. The decision also included adding £746,250 to the Capital Programme, funded by the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Extended Pilot fund and private sector investment.

Procurement of EV Charging Provision

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Property, Councillor Peter Butlin, resolved to authorise the Executive Director for Communities to begin procurement activities for a provider to install, manage, and maintain electric vehicle (EV) charging points, photovoltaic cells, and battery storage at Harbury Village Hall. This decision also included the authority to award and enter into all relevant contracts following the procurement process, with terms acceptable to the Executive Director for Resources. The project will add £746,250 to the Capital Programme, funded by a grant from the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Extended Pilot fund and private sector investment.

The LEVI fund, administered by the Energy Savings Trust on behalf of the Department for Transport, aims to enable strategic local provision of public EV infrastructure, leverage private sector investment, and increase consumer confidence in transitioning to EVs. The Council's bid to the LEVI fund was successful, securing £746,250, which will cover the full extent of the Council’s financial contribution to the project.

The project supports the government's drive to increase EV uptake in rural areas and aligns with the Council’s net zero ambitions. The scheme will be fully funded by the LEVI fund award and associated private funding secured during the procurement exercise, with no additional Council funding required.

The Council will undertake a procurement process to identify a partner to install, manage, and maintain the charging infrastructure at Harbury Village Hall. The partner is expected to be procured for a period of ten to fifteen years, in line with market standards for such projects.

The total estimated cost of the scheme is just under £1,000,000, with approximately 25% expected to be secured from private sector investment. The Council’s financial contribution is fixed, and the appointed provider will be responsible for maintaining all aspects of the project, including the photovoltaic cells, battery storage, and EV charge-points.

If the tendered delivery costs exceed the available budget or a suitable private sector partner cannot be secured, the Council may halt the project, reduce its scope, or seek additional private sector investment or other grants. If the project is deemed unaffordable or a partner cannot be found, it will be removed from the Council’s Capital Programme.

The delivery of additional EV charging points in Warwickshire will contribute to improving air quality, reducing emissions, and helping the Council achieve its net zero targets.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the Public reports pack and the Procurement of EV Charging provision documents.