Electric car charging

The Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (EVCI) Strategy for Reading was adopted in March 2024. It forms part of the Reading Transport Strategy 2040, which aims to address environmental, air quality, and health and wellbeing issues associated with our transport choices and is built around five key objectives. These are:

• to build a Reading wide approach to facilitate and encourage increased use of EVs as an alternative to necessary petrol and diesel car trips
• to deliver a safe, reliable and equitable charging network
• to provide renewable energy sources for EV charging
• to embrace and deliver innovations that benefit Reading’s residents
• for the council to lead by example with the electrification of its own fleet

Suggest an EV charging point

Reading Borough Council is aware that the lack of off-street parking is a barrier to the adoption of EVs for many people in the borough because it means that people are unable to charge their vehicle from home. The council are about to enter a long-term contract with a supplier to install 2620 on street EV charge points in residential areas without off street parking. To identify locations where there is demand for EV charging infrastructure please suggest an EV charging point here.

Cross-pavement EV charging solution

Cross-pavement solutions, or Gullies remove the trip hazard that trailing charging cables across footways cause, to enable safe home EV charging for homes without driveways.

Reading Borough Council have secured grant funding to enable us to subsidise the purchase of cross-pavement solutions. Householders will not have to pay for the equipment but will be responsible for other costs such as the installation of the gully and the EV charger.

Find public EV charge points using zapmap

The cost of an electric or hybrid vehicle

While the initial upfront purchase price of an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle can be higher, this is offset by lower running costs over the lifetime of the vehicle. Plug-in cars offer a number of potential savings compared to conventional vehicles. The cost savings will be most significant when owners charge at home and have access to an off-peak overnight electricity tariff. More information on the benefits of electric vehicles.

There are a range of government grants available to help with the installation of EV charge points.

Car dealerships and manufacturers can get grants to reduce the price you pay for brand new electric and hybrid vehicles.