Speaking as part of the panel “Maximising LEVI: Local Authorities Driving EV Infrastructure Forward” on Wednesday 4 March, Pudney will outline what has worked, what hasn’t, and how councils can turn funding into future-proof, community-backed infrastructure.

What has worked best so far in deploying LEVI-funded charging projects?

“Using LEVI funding, we can target areas with limited off-street parking, supporting residents to transition to EVs through a range of convenient and reliable on-street charging options. Deployment of other projects has shown how important it is to engage early with residents and key partners, and collaborate successfully with charge point operators, contractors, highways officers and distribution network operators to help streamline deployment.

“Being part of this programme is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of EV infrastructure while continually learning from each project. The ability to test new approaches, refine designs, and respond to real resident needs is key to delivering effective, inclusive charging solutions.”

What are the biggest challenges councils face when turning LEVI funding into on-the-ground infrastructure?

“One of the biggest challenges for councils is securing broad stakeholder support, particularly in communities unfamiliar with or uncertain about EV infrastructure. Coordinating the many partners involved – from highways teams to charge point operators and DNOs – can also be complex, as delays in one area often impact the whole programme.

“Delivering infrastructure at scale adds further pressure, requiring careful planning to avoid undermining active travel or public transport priorities. Balancing these demands while progressing large, technical projects is challenging, but strong collaboration and clear communication remain essential to turning LEVI funding into successful, on-the-ground infrastructure.”

What lessons has Essex County Council learned to make procurement smoother and more effective?

“We began by defining clear success criteria: delivering the right number of chargers in the right locations for residents without off-street parking, supported by a financially sustainable, user-friendly, safe and reliable model.

“Risks were addressed through procurement design, including banded scoring to prevent unrealistic socket forecasts and KPIs with service credits for under-delivery. Strong market interest led us to include a down-selection stage, limiting full evaluations to seven bidders per lot. Recognising the project’s complexity, we also built in an optional negotiation stage to avoid needing to abandon the tender if clarifications or revisions were required.”

What strategies are most effective in building public support for local EV projects?

“The most effective strategies have been transparency and early communication, giving residents advance notice through letters and clearly reassuring them that we are upgrading parking spaces, not removing them. Involving local councillors from the outset also strengthens support and helps address concerns early.

“We prioritise locations away from the front of homes where possible, but when this can’t be avoided, close collaboration is essential. We’ve created an online portal for residents to suggest charge point locations, and we’re developing a clear Location Review Process to set out how we engage with communities and how they can talk to us before installation.”

How do councils balance short-term funding priorities with long-term infrastructure planning?

“Councils balance short-term funding with long-term planning by using public funding to subsidise locations that CPOs may overlook, such as areas of high deprivation or places with currently low EV demand. By offsetting high-demand sites against lower-demand ones, we can deliver infrastructure just ahead of the curve across Essex.

“Long-term resilience is also built into our contracts: CPOs must regularly update software, replace hardware at least once during the contract term, and meet the latest accessibility and charge point standards, including contactless payments. This ensures the network remains future-proof, equitable and aligned with evolving user needs.”

What pitfalls should other local authorities avoid when rolling out LEVI-backed schemes?

“The biggest pitfall is failing to engage residents and councillors early. Without clear communication, locations risk being dropped simply because one resident objects, and often not because of genuine safety or accessibility concerns. A robust engagement process is essential to prevent this and ensure decisions are evidence-based.

“Another common mistake is not ensuring that all delivery partners and components are aligned; if even one part of the process isn’t aligned, delays quickly build up. Strong engagement, clear criteria and close coordination across all teams are vital to keeping LEVI-funded projects on track and delivering the charge points communities need.”

How can local authorities maximise the impact of future LEVI allocations?

“In my opinion, local authorities should focus on strategic, long-term planning that targets areas underserved by the market. Prioritising high-deprivation or low-demand locations ensures equitable access and accelerates adoption across whole communities.

“Strong engagement with residents and councillors will remain essential, alongside close coordination with operators, highways teams and DNOs to avoid delays. Embedding clear performance standards, such as accessibility compliance, protecting streetscapes, safety, reliability, competitive end-user costs, contactless payments and scheduled hardware refresh, will future-proof networks. By aligning funding, engagement and technical requirements, councils can deliver reliable, inclusive infrastructure that supports confident EV uptake at scale.”

What key takeaways do you hope delegates will gain from the panel?

“I hope others take away the value of early engagement, clear processes and strong coordination across all delivery partners. Building effective, trusting partnerships with CPOs is essential to delivering reliably at scale.

“Embracing the learning journey is equally important – LEVI gives us a rare opportunity to understand the world of large-scale EV infrastructure from the inside. We’ve been handed an exciting chance to be part of history, shaping a charging network that will create a long-lasting transport legacy for future generations. I’m genuinely excited and fully up for the challenge of helping drive this transition forward.”

The UK Charging Infrastructure Symposium will take place on 4-5 March 2026 at the British Motor Museum. Book your delegate pass today by clicking here.