Marking 'substantial' investment in the town's EV infrastructure, new state-of-the-art ultra rapid charging points are being installed at three Cheltenham car parks in 2024.
Cheltenham Borough Council says the 26 new 300-kilowatt chargers, which will be operated by national developer The EV Network, will be able to deliver a full charge in around 20 to 40 minutes.
The hubs will be installed in time for the opening of Cheltenham's ice rink and the busy Christmas shopping period, with charging scheduled to be online at the end of November 2024.
The rollout will see ten bays offered at both St James Street car park in the town centre and Bath Terrace near Montpellier, while Church Piece in Charlton Kings will have six.
The council says its exchange of contracts with The EV Network to lease the land for the hubs' construction is a 'significant step forward in sustainable transportation in Gloucestershire', with more hubs set to follow at other Cheltenham car parks in 2025.
Councillor Alisha Lewis, cabinet member for finance and assets at Cheltenham Borough Council, said: 'Our partnership with The EV Network marks a milestone in our efforts to improve and promote sustainable transport options in Cheltenham. While electric vehicles are only part of the solution, it’s important that we do what we can to ensure people have convenient charging options in our car parks.
'By investing in high-powered charging infrastructure, we are not only easing the transition to electric vehicles but demonstrating our commitment to reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality. This initiative aligns with our vision for a cleaner, greener, and more environmentally friendly Cheltenham.'
Reza Shaybani, CEO and co-founder of The EV Network, added: 'This initiative will play a vital role in supporting the growing number of electric vehicle users in Cheltenham and will contribute significantly to the town's sustainability goals. Our aim is to provide convenient, reliable, and superfast charging solutions that meet the needs of both current and future EV owners.'
