Leading the charge on the Isle of Wight

Isle of Wight Council are aiming to achieve net zero goals for their own operations by 2030, and net zero emissions across the island by 2040. Encouraging the move to electric vehicles, and the supporting EV charging infrastructure needed, is a crucial part of this. The Isle wants to cater for the growing number of residents switching to electric, as well as for visiting EV drivers in this popular tourist destination.

Involving Joju Charging 

The first step for our Joju Charging team was to undertake a comprehensive feasibility study, supporting the Council with the information to decide where EV Charging infrastructure would be placed, what type of infrastructure is needed, and how it can best be funded. There was already a small private charging network around the ferry terminals, and also a limited number of historic chargers needing to be replaced.

Following our study, it was agreed Joju would install in 12 main settlements around the island to get a comprehensive spread of charge point locations, expanding charging coverage significantly. These include Newport, Ryde, Sandown, Cowes/East Cowes, Ventnor, Yarmouth, Freshwater, Shanklin, Wootton Bridge, Seaview and Lake.

The infrastructure

 Altogether there are 33 charge points on the Island, including:

• Ten previously installed, dual on-street fast chargers

These have been funded by OZEV and Council investment to help meet residential demand. We’ve adopted them, have upgraded some of the units, and are continuing this process.

• Seven standalone rapids, and 16 dual fast chargers

We introduced our funding partner Mer to the project and these charge points are funded by them and maintained by us. We installed the chargers in public car parks in areas like Newport, Ryde, Shanklin, Sandown, Cowes, and Yarmouth. They’re perfect whether you need a rapid charge to quickly get on the move, a fast charge if you’re visiting local attractions, or for residents needing an overnight charge.

We’re also exploring expansion and additional charging infrastructure on the island.

By popular demand…

The popularity of the sites really has grown and grown. Of all of our charge points on the Mer network, three of the Isle of Wight chargers are regularly in the top 10. That’s in terms of usage in the last 30 days. There are seasonal variations of course, but this just highlights the appetite for EV charging infrastructure on the island.

Joju Charging’s Head of Public Sector Sales, Emma Blades, commented:

“It’s fantastic working with the Isle of Wight team who are committed to developing a robust EV charging infrastructure on the island. There has been some great conversation on local online forums praising the charge points and encouraging visitors to come to the Isle with their electric vehicles. One forum contributor even booked a holiday off the back of a chat about the availability of EV charge points! It definitely makes our Joju Charging team proud to hear that the network is helping to attract visitors to the island as word gets out there.”

Long may the infrastructure expansion continue, and long may it attract visitors to the island, as well as serving EV-driving residents.

Further reading

Joju Charging has won Contractor of the Year at the EVIES three times. Find out about our latest award win.

Discover more of our EV charging case studies.

Find out more about how we work with the public sector.

Breaking new ground with Hammersmith & Fulham

The London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham (H&F) has been focusing on tackling travel, as part of its commitment to “contribute to a safe climate for current and future generations”. The Borough is aiming to become carbon net-zero by 2030 and road transport accounts for 16 per cent of local emissions.

To give residents the confidence to make the switch to electric vehicles, the council wanted to grow their EV charging infrastructure quickly. We were delighted to be awarded the contract to help them realise their ambition of installing 2,000 more on-street charge points by the end of 2022 and beyond that, a charge point on every street in the Borough, where possible.

H&F already had the highest density of charge points anywhere in the UK – but this new commitment certainly moved them up a gear!

New charge points, multi purpose

The lamp post chargers being installed for H&F offer an affordable and convenient charging solution for EV owners with no access to off-street charging facilities of their own. Every home or office is now within 400 metres of a charge point and as the council says, they have the lowest number of residents per available charger.

The charge points have a multi-purpose use in the borough too. Not only are they used by residents without off-street parking to charge their EV’s, the chargers can be used by market stall traders to power their stalls, instead of using generators. There is also an ice cream van in the borough, which can now turn off its diesel engine and plug in its fridges to a clean, quiet energy supply.

Financing the expansion

The new investment was made possible because of the council’s successful bid for central government funding, as well as additional funding through commercial partners, and we look forward to working with H&F to continue the roll-out of their charge points right across the borough.

The reaction

“It’s been great working with Joju Charging as we make Hammersmith & Fulham number one for electric vehicle chargers. Joju have a real understanding of what local authorities require and want.”

Dave Kiteley, Lead Electrical Engineer, Hammersmith & Fulham Team

“By providing the necessary EV infrastructure, we’re empowering residents to make more sustainable travel choices to improve their own health and well-being as well as local air quality.”

Cllr Stephen Cowan, Leader of the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham

Discover more

Find out how on street charging has transformed Portsmouth

Read more about Joju Charging, here

Get in touch with us about your Public Sector EV Charging Infrastructure project