Essex County Council has awarded long-term concession contracts to Believ Ltd and Qwello to install and operate at least 5,000 public electric vehicle charging sockets across on-street and off-street locations throughout Essex, England.

Essex County Council's EV charging programme has been structured into multiple contract lots awarded to charge point operators Believ Ltd and Qwello. Backed by £8.38 million from the UK Government's Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund, the 15-year concession agreements, which include an option for a one-year extension, are designed to support the deployment of at least 5,000 EV charging sockets across Essex.

Under the contract awards, Believ Ltd secured Lots 1 and 2, worth a combined £220 million (US$295 million), to deliver and operate on-street EV charging infrastructure integrated into street furniture within residential neighbourhoods. Qwello was awarded Lot 4, valued at £180 million (US$ 242 million), which covers the provision and management of multi-socket charging facilities incorporated into street furniture as well as charging installations at off-street, third-party sites across Essex.