At a glance:
- 71-Charger Rollout: Leeds City Council and Believ have launched a new EV charging network, with the first of 71 points now live across the city.
- Fully Private Funding: The project is 100% funded by Believ, delivering fast and rapid charging infrastructure at no cost to the public purse.
- Net-Zero Accessibility: The initiative targets residents without off-street parking to improve air quality and support Leeds' 2026 carbon-neutral goals.
The first of 71 Believ electric vehicle (EV) chargers has gone live at Leeds City Council, marking a major milestone in the partnership that has been fully funded by the charge point operator. It is designed to support residents, visitors and businesses in the transition to cleaner, more sustainable transport.
The wider rollout will continue throughout early 2026, and will see a mix of fast chargers for long-stay and overnight charging and rapid chargers for quicker, on-the-go top-ups, installed at both on-street and off-street locations. This includes residential areas, community halls, sports centres, and key city centre sites.
The initiative forms part of Leeds City Council’s ongoing commitment to improving air quality, reducing carbon emissions, and supporting drivers without access to private off-street parking.
Believ will take full responsibility for the installation, operation, and ongoing maintenance of the charge points. Its chargers can all be found on the Zapmap app, and charging sessions can be started instantly in the app or with the tap of the Zapmap charging card.
Guy Bartlett, CEO of Believ, said:
“Our fully funded model allows local authorities to deliver high-quality, future-ready charging networks without the use of public funds. This project reflects our shared ambition to create cleaner air and more sustainable transport options for all.”
Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, said:
“It’s an important step towards delivering a comprehensive EV charging network that meets the needs of our residents and visitors. By expanding access to convenient, reliable public charging, especially for those without driveways, we’re helping to make the transition to electric vehicles easier and more accessible for everyone.
“It’s another step towards our ambition to become the UK’s first net zero city.”
