Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) has 24 fire stations and other service sites around Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. The Service is committed to achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2030 and is determined to do everything it can to increase sustainability.

As part of this, AF&RS has been growing the number of EVs on its fleet – and that means having reliable charge point infrastructure in place too. We were happy to help when the team contacted us through the Central Southern Regional Procurement Framework to carry out a feasibility study into the most effective EV charging solution.

Making it feasible

For us, good electric vehicle charging practice is the provision of the right charger, with the right power, in the right place, with the right payment options, controlled by the right system. Our feasibility studies mean we assess the suitability of all sites in terms of demand, electrical supply and other considerations, and as Annabel Harford, Environmental Manager at AF&RS commented,

“The feasibility study process was very informative and tailored to meet our requirements at every stage”.

Installing the network

Following on from it, we began work on the supply and installation of the estate-wide EV charging network, with ‘Phase 1’ including 14 sites. With all chargers being building connected, we took into account the available power from each, installing a mix of 22kW and 7kW Alfen dual socketed chargers, meaning at least two vehicles can charge at any one time.

The electricity used to charge the vehicles is 100% renewable as all AF&RS sites are currently supplied with 100% green energy.  As well as fleet vehicles, employees are able to use these points too with an EV staff salary sacrifice scheme providing an added incentive.

Looking to the future

And there’s more! As well as the maintenance and ongoing back-office provision for the existing charge points (with our partners Mer), we’ll be installing ‘Phase 2’ next year which will include a further 10 sites.

EVs will play a major part in helping AF&RS reach the targets in the organisation’s Environmental Strategy and we are delighted to contribute to the realisation of the bluelight turning green!

Annabel Harford commented:

“We’ve been really pleased with how the first Phase has gone and have enjoyed working with the team at Joju. They are all very helpful, friendly and have helped resolve issues efficiently. With EV charge points now installed at half of our sites, we look forward to Phase 2 for all our remaining sites”.

Discover more

Check out our work with Surrey and Sussex Police

Read more Public Sector EV Case Studies

Find out more about our approach to Public Sector EV Charging