Hampshire County Council has partnered with Believ to deliver approximately 17,000 public electric vehicle charging sockets across Hampshire, England, through a government-backed Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) programme supported by £6.662 million (US$8.9 million) in public funding and up to £90 million (US$120 million) in private investment.

The project is intended to help residents who cannot charge vehicles at home because they lack off-street parking, such as a driveway or garage. According to the council, roughly one-third of Hampshire residents are in this situation, making access to convenient local charging an important factor in encouraging EV adoption. 

The scheme is being funded through the UK Government’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (EVI) Fund and supported by substantial private investment from the charging company Believ. Hampshire County Council secured £6.662 million from the Department for Transport, which is expected to unlock up to £90 million in private investment. Installation work is expected to begin later in 2026, with approximately 500 charge points planned during the first year. The council describes the project as the largest local-authority-led EV infrastructure programme currently underway in England. Beyond standard neighbourhood charging points, the rollout is also expected to include rapid chargers and potentially dedicated charging hubs for taxis and private-hire vehicles. 

Following a competitive procurement process, Hampshire County Council awarded a 15-year concession contract to Believ. Under this agreement, Believ will install, operate, and maintain the charging network. The council estimates that the 17,000 charging sockets will significantly improve access for households without private parking and help meet growing demand for EV charging as more drivers transition from petrol and diesel vehicles.