Ceredigion County Council is preparing to trial street EV charging points funded by the Welsh Government to meet charging requirements. The scheme will see the establishment of 18 charging stations spread across three locations in the town. After conducting site assessments, the council will pinpoint three appropriate locations in Aberystwyth to host the pilot program. The initiative will create a network of 18 EV charging points, with six units evenly distributed at each selected site. The trial is scheduled to begin in March or April.
The council announced that the scheme will address the current and future needs of residents transitioning to electric vehicles, removing risks and trip hazards from extended cables on pavements. Conducted with ‘Trojan Energy’, the trial will feature flat, pavement-embedded charge points, preventing street clutter and trip hazards. Each charge point will deliver speeds up to 22kWh, offering convenient charging for residents without driveways. Participants will receive a free personal charging adaptor for vehicle connection and automatic billing.
Ceredigion County Council has obtained fund from the Welsh Government to initiate another trial with ‘Connected Kerb’ for static bollard-type EV charging stations. Sites across Ceredigion are currently being evaluated for use by residents and the general public. The initiative is part of the council’s dedication to achieve Carbon Net Zero by 2030, following its declaration of global climate emergency in March 2020.
Councillor Keith Henson, Cabinet Member for Highways and Environmental Services and Carbon Management remarked: “This is the latest in a series of innovative projects aimed at reducing our emissions and reaching Carbon Net Zero.”  “We are awaiting the outcome of further applications for funding for 2025/26, and if successful, these trials will provide us with a wealth of information and experience to inform future development and an expansion of this scheme to other areas within Ceredigion” he added.
The council has been reducing carbon emissions since 2007 with its five-year Carbon Management Plan. It has surpassed reduction targets, achieving a 60.78% decrease in emissions for 2023 to 24. As electric vehicle sales increase, many residents lack access to private charging points. If the trial succeeds, it will address current and future needs by providing convenient charging while eliminating cable hazards on pavements. Under Britain’s new zero emission vehicle regulations implemented in January 2024, requires manufacturers to ensure 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold in Britain should be zero emission by 2030, with a goal of 100% for both by 2035.
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