Council charging ahead with installing new EV infrastructure in Derry

Work on the installation of new electric vehicle (EV) charging points will begin next week as part of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s On-Street Residential Charge Point Scheme (ORCS).

The project is led by the Council on behalf of the Northern Ireland EV Consortium.  It is part of a wider partnership representing nine local councils, the Department for Infrastructure, and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. Local EV infrastructure specialists Weev have been appointed to supply, connect, and operate the charge points included in the wider regional rollout.

The initiative specifically targets residents who lack private driveways or off-street parking. By placing chargers in a strategic mix of on-street locations and Council-owned car parks, the scheme removes one of the primary barriers to EV ownership for local households.

WEEV will begin fitting the chargers at several locations in Derry starting next week. Work is expected to commence at 7.30am each morning, with crews operating on-site for approximately three days at each location that includes Lincoln Court, on Wednesday, March 18; Old Library Trust Car Park on Thursday, March 19 and Shantallow Library on Friday, March 20.

Pending the progress of the initial sites, works are tentatively scheduled for the week commencing March 23 at other locations across the Council area including Spencer Road, Spring Hill, Irish Street and Meeting House Lane while scheduling for Fahan Street and Bishop Street will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

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Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Ruairí McHugh, welcoming the start of the work said the scheme will greatly benefit local communities adding that he appreciated the public’s patience and support while these essential works are carried out to modernise the local EV infrastructure.

He said: “This project directly benefits our residents by providing accessible charging options where they are needed most. It is a vital component of our sustainability and climate action goals, helping us collectively contribute to regional efforts to meet Net Zero by 2050."