Hampshire County Council has selected Electric vehicle (EV) charge point operator (CPO) Believ to deliver what is expected to be the largest Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) contract signed to date, bringing 17,180 public EV chargers to the county in a rollout backed by up to £90 million of Believ investment.
In what will represent a significant step forward in preparing Hampshire for the continued uptake of electric vehicles, the majority of chargers will be standard plus* (22kW) sockets to support residential long-stay and overnight charging needs. The approach is designed to support residents without access to private driveways and help ensure charge points are available within a five‑minute walk of households, where possible. The rollout will also include more than 800 rapid charge points (50kW+) to serve shorter top ups.
The programme will result in charge points being delivered across Hampshire, as RAC data shows that a third (33%) of the county’s residents don’t have access to off-street parking, with that figure rising to 38% in Winchester and Rushmoor and 39% in Basingstoke.
The project will be supported by £6.6 million of LEVI funding from Hampshire County Council, with Believ funding the remainder of the rollout through committed capital investment of up to £90 million. This funding structure enables the delivery of a large‑scale, future‑ready charging network while minimising reliance on public finances.
Believ will be responsible for the end‑to‑end delivery of the programme, including design, installation, operation and long‑term maintenance of the charging network. The company was selected for its proven ability to deliver mass on‑street deployments at scale, supported by strong financial backing and experience working with local authorities on complex, countywide rollouts.
Accessibility has also been a key consideration within the programme, with charge points designed to be PAS 1899‑compliant** wherever possible, reflecting a broader commitment to inclusive infrastructure.
Installations are expected to begin later this year, with around 500 charge points planned for delivery in the first year of the programme.
Councillor Kirsty North, Hampshire County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Lead for Universal Services, said: “As more people look to switch to EVs, ensuring access to reliable, convenient charging is essential – particularly for those without off-street parking. This initiative demonstrates how local authorities can combine local knowledge and national funding with private sector investment to unlock delivery at scale, accelerate infrastructure rollout, and support the growth of the UK’s green economy.
“At a time when local government budgets are under significant pressure, it also shows how this can be achieved without adding to the burden on local finances, while laying the foundations for long-term growth in low-carbon transport.”
Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Minister Keir Mather, commented: “Drivers in Hampshire will benefit from 17,000 new public EV chargers, backed by a £6.6 million Government investment, giving residents the confidence to make the switch wherever they live or travel.
“We’re making it easier and cheaper to go electric – with a further £600 million to accelerate charge point rollout across the UK, and with our Electric Car Grant helping over 110,000 drivers save up to £3750 when buying a new EV.”
Guy Bartlett, CEO of Believ, said: “This partnership with Hampshire County Council enables the largest EV charging programme delivered through the LEVI scheme to date. By combining public funding with significant private capital, we can move faster, reach more communities and make charging more accessible for residents all across Hampshire.”
*Previously termed fast, and re-categorised by the DfT. Read more here.
**PAS 1899:2022 provides specifications to support the building of an inclusive EV charging infrastructure in the UK. Read more here.
