Bristol City Council has today launched a new EV charging network, dubbed ‘Revive’, to replace the existing Source West network, simultaneously opening its first rapid charging hub in the region.
Revive is to take the mantle from previous network Source West, which was established to serve EV drivers in Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.
Those four local authorities have committed to install or replace 120 charge point connections across the region over the forthcoming year, the majority of which will use renewable power from Bristol’s council-owned energy supplier, Bristol Energy.
Revive comes as part of the Go Ultra Low West programme, which received £7.1 million of funding from the Office for Low Emission Vehicles.
The launch has coincided with the opening of an EV charging hub in Eastville Park in Bristol, featuring eight rapid chargers alongside public amenities. It’s the first of four hubs to be installed throughout the region by March 2021.
Kye Dudd, cabinet member for transport at Bristol City Council, said Revive would provide the council with a “critical service for residents and visitors”.
“Revive contributes to our One City vision of improving sustainable transport options for Bristol, alongside electric car clubs, electric freight deliveries, more electric vans in council fleets and electric taxis. Electric vehicles also help us improve air quality in Bristol, as they do not produce tailpipe emissions when running,” he said.
Membership to the Revive network is free, and charging is conducted on a pay-as-you-go basis. Members of the original Source West network are being encouraged to register with Revive as soon as possible.
Existing chargepoint and services providers Siemens, Alfen and ChargePoint Services are to remain with the programme, having been tasked earlier this year with conducting upgrades on the infrastructure network.
Bristol is also the destination for Solar Media’s inaugural EV World Congress – part of the Everything EV event series – which takes place between 28 – 29 April 2020. The event will bring together representatives of the EV charging ecosystem from across the world, featuring exhibitions, seminars and best practice advice from global leaders in the field. More information on the event, including how to attend and participate, can be found here.
