​Birmingham City Council has partnered with charge point operator Ubitricity to introduce a new scheme installing 560 electric vehicle charge points in lampposts across the city. The initiative aims to provide charging access to residents without off-street parking, with charge points being installed on 82 residential streets.

The scheme is backed by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles' On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme, which funds projects designed to improve EV infrastructure in urban areas. So far, 300 charge points have been installed, with the remaining 260 expected to be in place by the end of spring. The compact design of the units allows for installation in under an hour, minimising disruption.

Ubitricity, a subsidiary of Shell and the UK's largest charge point operator, is managing the installation and will also be responsible for ongoing maintenance. The project is intended to support Birmingham's broader environmental goals by making EV ownership viable for those who rely on on-street parking.

The council has placed a strong emphasis on reducing private car use through its transport strategy but recognises the need for improved infrastructure for those who require a vehicle. The rollout is expected to encourage more residents to switch to electric cars, helping to cut emissions and improve air quality in the city.

The initiative is part of a wider push to expand charging facilities in Birmingham. In January, a new public charging hub was installed in Oscott through a partnership with charge point provider Zest. Similar projects have been carried out in other UK cities, including Newport and Warrington, where Zest has deployed charge points in residential areas.

With this latest scheme, Birmingham is moving towards one of the largest public EV charging networks to be seen outside London, supporting the transition to cleaner transport across the region.