Southend-on-Sea is set to take a major step towards a greener future, with the council announcing plans to install more than 1,000 electric vehicle (EV) chargers across the city over the next decade. The ambitious project aims to address the growing demand for public charging infrastructure as the popularity of EVs continues to soar.
The council has secured £1.45 million in Government funding through the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) scheme and is now seeking a private sector partner to match this funding. The chosen partner will help develop a robust and accessible EV charging network that will support Southend’s transition to zero-emission vehicles. The procurement process is now open and will run until mid-February 2025.
The current state of Southend’s EV infrastructure
At present, Southend-on-Sea has no on-street residential-only charging points and just 27 public charging points spread across the city. These chargers, located primarily in council-owned car parks, are managed by four different charge point operators and have been installed gradually as funding has become available. This new contract will encompass both the installation of new residential chargers and the management of existing public chargers.
The project will include a mix of slow 5kW lamp post chargers and faster 7-22kW pedestal or bollard-style chargers. The goal is to ensure a diverse range of options to meet the varying needs of EV owners across the city.
Here’s some current locations of EV chargers in Southend:
- London Road Retail Park – Located at 2 London Road, this site features 8 ultra-rapid devices, part of the Osprey network.
- Alexander Street Car Park – Equipped with 5x7kW and 2x50kW chargers, supplied by Blink Charging UK.
- Civic Centre Car Park – Offers 3x7kW chargers, provided by Hanger-19.
- Hamlet Court Road Car Park – Contains 3x7kW and 2x7kW chargers, supplied by Genie Point.
- Seaway Car Park – Features 2x7kW chargers, provided by Genie Point.
- Short Street Car Park – Equipped with 3x7kW chargers, supplied by Hanger-19.
- Warrior Square Car Park – Offers 5x7kW and 2x50kW chargers, provided by Genie Point.
- London Road (opposite Sainsbury’s) – Contains 2x50kW, 1x43kW, and 2x7kW chargers, supplied by Genie Point.
- Lidl Shoeburyness – Located on Campfield Road, The Garrison, this site has 1 rapid device with 3 connectors, part of the Lidl network.
- Waitrose Southend-On-Sea – Situated on Fossetts Way, offering 1 slow device with 2 connectors, 1 fast device with 3 connectors, and 2 ultra-rapid devices with 4 connectors, part of the Shell Recharge network.
Rising EV adoption and future challenges
The need for expanded charging infrastructure is becoming increasingly urgent. Over the past two years, the number of plug-in vehicles in Southend has surged by 84%, a trend mirrored across the UK as more drivers make the switch to electric. This shift is being driven by a combination of government incentives, stricter emissions targets, and growing consumer interest in sustainable transport solutions.
However, as EV adoption continues to accelerate, concerns are mounting over whether the UK’s charging network can keep up with demand. Many drivers, particularly those without off-street parking, rely on public charging points, and there is growing frustration about the lack of available and functional chargers. Industry experts warn that without significant investment and strategic planning, a bottleneck in charging infrastructure could hinder the transition to electric vehicles.
A step towards a greener Southend
Cllr Daniel Cowan, leader of the council, emphasised the importance of the initiative: “This investment will supercharge our electric vehicle infrastructure across the city. With an 84% increase in plug-in vehicles seen across Southend in the last two years, it is much needed.”
He added that all 17 wards had been assessed to determine roads without access to private parking, ensuring that the new chargers are installed in areas where they are most needed. While specific locations have not yet been decided, they will be finalised once a private partner has been selected.
The council has engaged with charge point operators during the tender development process and has received strong interest from the industry. The aim is to appoint a partner by summer 2025, with around 300 chargers expected to be installed by 2027 in high-demand areas.
The bigger picture: the UK’s charging dilemma
While Southend’s initiative is a significant step forward, it also highlights a broader national challenge. The UK’s EV charging infrastructure is struggling to keep pace with demand, and many industry experts argue that the current rate of charger installations must accelerate dramatically to support the government’s 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel car sales.
Reports have shown that despite a growing number of EVs on the road, many regions lack sufficient public chargers, leading to long waiting times and concerns about accessibility. Rapid chargers, which can significantly reduce charging time, are still not widespread enough, particularly in residential areas where on-street parking is the only option for many drivers.
As Southend prepares to expand its EV infrastructure, the success of this initiative could serve as a model for other cities facing similar challenges. The key will be ensuring that charging points are not only available but also reliable, easy to access, and strategically placed to support the growing number of electric vehicle owners.
For now, Southend’s commitment to electrifying its streets represents a promising move towards a cleaner, more sustainable future—but it also underscores the need for continued investment and innovation in EV charging solutions across the UK.