Lewisham Council has approved a £107 million contract for the installation, operation, and maintenance of electric vehicle (EV) charging points across the borough, marking a significant step in the expansion of the borough's EV infrastructure.
The decision, made by Mayor and Cabinet on Wednesday, 09 September 2026, awards concession contracts to Believ Limited for two lots, totalling over £214 million, and Zest Eco Limited for a third lot, valued at over £75 million. These contracts are part of the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Scheme and will run for an initial 15 years, with an option to extend for a further year. The contracts are expected to commence in August/September 2026.
Councillor Corin Ashwell, Cabinet Member for Environment, Nature, Transport and Climate Action, emphasised the importance of expanding EV charging infrastructure to improve air quality and support the transition to lower-emission vehicles. Electric vehicles aren't going to save the planet,
Councillor Ashwell stated, but they are great. And we should be doing all we can to encourage those people who can make the transition to electric vehicles to do so, and to do so as equitably as possible.
The scheme aims to install a minimum of 1,150 new public charge points in Lewisham over the next four years, supplementing the existing 250 charge points. A particular focus will be on residential areas lacking off-street parking, ensuring equitable access to charging facilities.
All charge points to be installed across the three lots will be slow chargers, with a capacity of less than 8kW.
Additionally, the council has approved the use of a £183,000 grant from the Department for Transport for a trial of cross-pavement charging mechanisms. This trial will explore solutions for residents without driveways to charge their electric vehicles from their domestic electricity supply via a recessed channel in the footway. The trial is intended to test the practical application of these solutions in real-world conditions and to better understand their impacts, including safety, usability, maintenance requirements, and overall demand. The findings will inform future policy on cross-pavement charging. The council will begin engagement with relevant operators and residents during summer 2026 to inform the design and delivery of the pilot.
Councillor Ashwell highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating, The provision of a large number of new public charge points, I think, is also critical to this in making electric vehicles an easy choice for those who can and for those who want to, for those who do need a car as a personal vehicle.
The contracts were awarded following a competitive open tender process conducted jointly with the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Bids were evaluated based on a combination of factors, with a Quality Score accounting for 45%, Price Score also at 45%, and Social Value making up the remaining 10%. The Quality evaluation was comprehensive, encompassing aspects such as Operational Delivery (including customer services, maintenance, and exit strategy), Infrastructure (innovation and charge point design), Implementation/Mobilisation, Accessibility (adhering to PAS1899:2022 standards), Business Continuity, Continuous Improvement, and Health & Safety. Social Value was assessed through an Action Plan and Statement of Deliverability.
To ensure the ongoing reliability of the charging infrastructure over the 15-year contract period, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) will be in place for the suppliers. Regular performance review meetings will be held with the Partnership to monitor services and delivery. Should suppliers fail to meet KPIs, agreed actions will be implemented. The council has also taken steps to mitigate the risk of financial failure by the suppliers, including requiring financial performance bonds and conducting thorough financial due diligence.
The estimated contract values are: Lot 1: £106,863,600; Lot 2: £107,883,216.00; and Lot 3: £75,373,152.
More information on the council's decisions can be found in the Public reports pack for Mayor and Cabinet on 09 September 2026.
