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) 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 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 chargers planned for delivery in the first year of the programme.
Believ chargers can be accessed directly in the Zapmap app, where drivers can find and pay for charging. Its chargers are also compatible with contactless and RFID card payments, including with the Zapmap charging card.
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.”
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.”
