Ready for local EV drivers and holidaymakers in the heart of Devon, three new rapid chargers are now operation in Belle Meadow car park, Barnstable. It is the first charging location in a partnership between North Devon Council and rapid charging network Osprey Charging, one of the UK’s most popular electric vehicle (EV) charging networks.
The joint programme will more than double the current number of rapid EV chargers in the district, significantly improving access to EV charging for residents, businesses and the six million tourists who visit each year. A total of 15 rapid chargers are in development across the region in Barnstable, Lynton, South Molton and Ilfracombe.
With access to charging a potential barrier to EV adoption, there are concerns that more rural areas where charge points are traditionally less common, such as North Devon, risk being left behind in the EV transition if there is not visible reassurance of ample public charging.
Furthermore, over six million people visit northern Devon throughout the year and tourism is one of the region’s most economically important sectors. As EV uptake increases across the country ahead of the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles, more and more of these visitors will require EV charging to complete their journeys and continue to visit.
“No region should be left behind in the transition to cleaner transport. North Devon have made a choice to future-proof their communities and protect the environment, with a safe, reliable, accessible rapid charging service,” said Patrick Sherriff, Property Director of Osprey Charging.
“Osprey’s investment in high-power charging stations in Devon makes choosing an electric vehicle possible not only for the millions of seasonal visitors to the area, but crucially to the local residents and businesses who might otherwise be nervous of making the transition.”
Earlier this year Osprey committed to providing accessible and safe charging when it became the first charging network to subscribe to independent public EV charging endorsement body ChargeSafe, to inspect and rate its sites. This pledge will ensure the charging facilities at each new chargers installed in North Devon are as accessible as possible in the space available.
15 Osprey chargers are installed or under development across North Devon.
“We are firmly committed to encouraging cleaner transport across the district; cherishing and protecting our environment is one of the council’s corporate priorities,” said Lead Member for Economic Development and Regeneration at North Devon Council, Councillor Malcolm Prowse.
“These upcoming installations will be great news for EV drivers who currently live in or visit our district and will hopefully encourage others to consider transitioning to electric vehicles in the future. By partnering with an innovative company like Osprey, which installs, manages, and maintains the rapid chargers, we’re able to deliver essential EV infrastructure at no cost to the council.”
