Wokingham Borough Council is seeking a long-term partner to develop and operate EV charging across the borough, following an Executive decision on 29th October. The council published the announcement on 3rd November 2026.
What has been agreed
Members authorised inviting bids, with an appointment sought by spring 2027. The initial partnership would run for 15 years, with an option to extend by five.
The council may invest up to £5 million, with the partner expected to match this on a roughly equal basis. The council says its contribution would be funded through contract income. These are proposed investment terms, rather than a completed award or money already spent.
A wider choice of charging
Options include residential and destination charging, rapid hubs and cross-kerb systems. Supporting residents without off-street parking is a stated priority. The council hopes to exceed 400 chargepoints by 2030, but has not confirmed a final installation total.
What happens next
Procurement and negotiations will determine the arrangement. Existing plans for solar-powered charging at Mereoak Park & Ride are excluded from the proposed investment.
For other councils, the proposal offers a partnership model to examine alongside local access, operating costs and long-term asset responsibilities. Outcomes and financial returns remain to be demonstrated.
Source: Wokingham Borough Council, 3rd November 2026.