Southend-on-Sea leads the charge with 3,000 new EV charging spaces

Southend-on-Sea City Council, in partnership with Zest, will deliver thousands of new public electric vehicle (EV) charging spaces across the city to accelerate the transition to EVs.

Under a 15-year agreement, Zest, a certified B Corp, will deploy over 3,000 charging spaces in a range of locations across Southend-on-Sea, including a combination of lamp post, fast and rapid chargers to suit drivers’ needs.

The project represents one of the largest local EV charging deployments in the UK, supporting Southend-on-Sea’s ambition to create a cleaner, more sustainable transport system for all.

The project has received £1.4m from the Government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund, as well as significant investment from Zest at no cost to the council or the taxpayer. The initiative will ensure residents, businesses, and visitors have convenient, reliable access to EV charging, helping to reduce carbon emissions and improve local air quality.

The new network will be rolled out in phases, with installation due to kick off early next year. Sites will be chosen to ensure equitable access for all communities, particularly areas without off-street parking.

Councillor Daniel Cowan, Leader of Southend-on-Sea City Council, said:

‍"This is a big moment for Southend-on-Sea. By bringing thousands of new EV charging spaces to our streets, we’re making it easier for people across our city to choose cleaner, greener ways to travel. This project is about more than infrastructure, it’s about making sure every resident, every business and every visitor has access to the tools they need to be part of a more sustainable future. We’re proud to be working with Zest to deliver real change for our communities and lead the way nationally."

Robin Heap, CEO of Zest, said:

“Southend-on-Sea is setting a benchmark for how cities can lead the transition to cleaner transport with their ambitious EV infrastructure deployment plans. The partnership is designed to make EV ownership practical for everyone, especially communities without off-street parking. Such a significant long-term investment requirement reflects true ambition and leadership, ensuring Southend-on-Sea has the infrastructure it needs for an electric future while creating a blueprint for others to follow.”

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