News / bristol city council
Hundreds of new electric vehicle charging points coming to Bristol
Hundreds of new electric vehicle charging stations are planned across the Bristol region in a project starting this summer.
The charging points will be installed in car parks, train stations, supermarkets and on residential streets without driveways.
Over 300 chargers will be installed across the West of England region, including 187 in Bristol. The rollout will take until March 2026 and is expected to cost £4.9m, funded from the combined authority’s green recovery fund.
Bristol City Council transport bosses hope the investment will boost confidence that drivers can conveniently find somewhere to charge up, and encourage more to make the switch from petrol or diesel to electric. EVs don’t emit greenhouse gases and contribute far less to climate change.
Bristol is due to get 187 new electric vehicle charging points by March 2026
Speaking during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Kye Dudd, cabinet member for housing services and energy, said: “The rollout will start in the summer and will focus on community charging hubs, destination charging at places like supermarkets, and on-street residential. The investment will mean more residents opt for electric vehicles.”
In Bristol, the plans include 11 community charging points, such as in quiet off-street car parks; 26 destination charging points in places like train stations, shopping centres, cinemas or hotels; and 150 on-street residential charging points, either fitted to lampposts, or on the pavement where wide enough or installed on the road.
Don Alexander, cabinet member for transport, added: “EVs will be part of the solution but we recognise there’s also some downsides in an urban context, particulates and congestion for instance.
“We’re supporting this but [are] very mindful of the needs of people with disabilities and the need to keep footways clear for people who are not able to work their way around.
“I’ve seen one or two examples on social media of where charging points have gone in, in a way that hasn’t recognised the needs of people in wheelchairs. That won’t be happening here.”
Alex Seabrook is a local democracy reporter for Bristol
All photos: Mia Vines Booth
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