Suffolk County Council is committed to providing and encouraging cleaner ways to travel, reducing the carbon emissions caused by transport. All our pool cars are now electric vehicles, and we promote cycling, walking and park & ride schemes, as well as offering staff discounts on public transport.
Electric vehicles at the council
Electric vehicles play a big part in sustainable travel, and we support staff make travel choices to have a positive impact on climate change.
The council’s fleet of 42 pool cars are now electric vehicles, with the transition from petrol and diesel cars completed in January 2024. Pool cars are typically used by care workers visiting their clients, or staff travelling to meetings and events.
All staff are encouraged to consider online meetings where appropriate.
Electric vehicle network in Suffolk
Plug in Suffolk was a pilot project run by the council, which created the UK’s first open access, standard rate, county-wide public electric car charging network using contactless credit cards and without the need to belong to a specific charging club, download an app or carry a specific RFID card.
The project installed 100 charging points across the county to help fill the gaps in rural areas and encourage parish councils, village halls, community centres as well as businesses and other local organisations to host a charging point without the capital outlay.
We are building on the Plug In Suffolk project and have made successful bids to the government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund, receiving £1.36m in 2023 to support the installation of 200 more charging points in community locations, boosted by a further £5.6m for more work over the next three years.
Two projects got underway in late 2023. First, to install a further 65 public charging points at community sites around the county, following the ‘Plug-in Suffolk’ model. In 2024, we will appoint a supplier to provide (primarily) on-street public charging points to help meet the needs of residents who do not have off-street parking. This should see approximately 2,500 charging points installed over the coming years.
We also work with local councils, businesses and organisations to improve access to electric vehicle charging across the county.
Suffolk Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy
Suffolk County Council has published a strategy to improve the electric vehicle (EV) charging experience for drivers in Suffolk.
The Suffolk Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy has been written with the input of all borough and district councils to address a range of topics, including:
- Supporting residents, businesses and visitors to change to low carbon travel
- Creating an accessible and inclusive EV charging network
- Air quality
- On-street charging
- Workplace and commercial charging
