Warwickshire’s public electric vehicle charging network is set for one of its biggest expansions yet, with more than 2,100 new lower-powered charging sockets and at least 73 rapid charging sockets planned across the county.
The programme brings together £3.295 million from the Department for Transport with around £15 million of private investment. Connected Kerb has been appointed to deliver 2,100 additional lower-powered sockets, while EZO will provide at least 73 rapid charging sockets.
What is being installed in Warwickshire?
According to Warwickshire County Council, the contract was secured in partnership with Leicestershire County Council, Rutland County Council and Worcestershire County Council, with support from Midlands Connect.
- 2,100 additional lower-powered charging sockets from Connected Kerb
- At least 73 rapid charging sockets from EZO
- £3.295 million of Department for Transport funding
- Around £15 million of private investment
The wider Midlands programme is expected to deliver more than 6,600 charging sockets across the region. Warwickshire’s project is funded through the Government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund, which is designed primarily to improve local and on-street charging provision.
Why the on-street chargers matter
The sheer number of lower-powered sockets is arguably the most important part of the announcement. Rapid chargers are essential when drivers need energy quickly, but reliable overnight and longer-dwell charging is particularly important for EV owners who cannot install a charger on their own driveway.
Warwickshire County Council says its on-street charging provision is generally comparable with home charging speeds, typically in the 7kW to 22kW range. The council is also inviting residents to suggest locations where new chargers are needed through its EV charging information service.
For drivers who can charge on a driveway, home charging will usually remain the cheapest and most convenient option. Tech Torque Media’s home EV charging guide explains the different charger types, installation considerations and what UK drivers should know before fitting one.
A significant step up from Warwickshire’s earlier network
The new contract represents a major increase in scale. A previous Warwickshire County Council programme installed 79 twin-headed charge points, providing 158 charging sockets. Council data later showed those sockets had delivered more than 36,000 charging sessions.
The expansion also arrives while parts of Warwickshire’s existing public network are going through a provider transition. The council currently advises drivers to check charger availability before travelling because some existing locations may experience disruption during that process.
That makes reliability just as important as the headline number of new sockets. Tech Torque Media has previously examined whether the UK EV charging rollout is keeping pace with demand, and large local programmes such as this one will be an important test of whether infrastructure can become both easier to find and more dependable.
What does this mean for Warwickshire EV drivers?
For residents, the most immediate benefit should be greater choice. A combination of neighbourhood charging and rapid infrastructure gives drivers different options depending on whether they are charging near home, stopping during the day or travelling across the county.
It could also remove one of the practical barriers facing people considering their first electric car: what to do when home charging is not available. Our guide to 10 things to know before buying your first electric car covers why access to dependable charging should be considered before making the switch.
Drivers using public infrastructure should still plan ahead, particularly while the existing Warwickshire network changes provider. The council’s current charge-point guidance recommends checking live availability before setting off.
Tech Torque Verdict
This is the kind of EV infrastructure investment that can make a tangible difference to everyday ownership. The 73-plus rapid sockets are welcome, but the 2,100 lower-powered sockets could prove even more significant by giving many more residents without driveways a practical way to charge close to home.
The next test is delivery. Charger numbers alone do not guarantee a good network: location, pricing, uptime and ease of payment will determine whether the investment genuinely improves the experience for Warwickshire drivers.
Tech Torque Media will follow the Warwickshire rollout as locations, installation timescales and tariffs become clearer.
