The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced a new electric vehicle infrastructure (EVI) support service delivered by the Energy Saving Trust, Cenex and PA Consulting.

The contract for the new Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Support Service (EVISS) is valued at £7.2m and will run for an initial three years from 1 April 2026 until 31 March 2029. However, the DfT has allowed for a possible one-year extension to this ‘at the authority's discretion'.

The service is intended to not only continue the support currently provided to local authorities, but, via a new contract that comes into effect in April of this year, expand the offerings to ‘other public sector organisations' in various areas, including:

  • Training
  • One-to-one guidance
  • Knowledge resources
  • Help with EVI policies

Support will also be included for ongoing schemes such as the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund and the Electric Vehicle Pavement Channels Grant, along with the development of future policy and wider public charge point delivery. The DfT noted that £381m of LEVI funding has already been awarded since March 2022.

Following the allocation of LEVI funding, authorities who are eligible for the existing assistance have been approached directly, allowing them to access advice and support.

Nick Harvey, senior programme manager for Energy Saving Trust, said: ‘The EVI Support Service represents the next evolution in England's procurement and deployment support for electric vehicle infrastructure. Building on four years of LEVI delivery, we are proud to provide a one‑stop‑shop for councils and public bodies, equipping them with the expertise, tools and confidence needed to deliver accessible, equitable and future‑proof charging networks.'

Robert Evans, chief executive of Cenex, added: ‘As the UK's Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Transport, we are pleased to be leading the technical workstreams to ensure England's public sector receives best-in-class guidance, modelling, advice and mapping.'

Dominic Gibbeson, transport expert at PA Consulting, commented: ‘Drawing on our expertise in clean and smart mobility, we will support public sector organisations with the insight, innovation and delivery capability needed to plan, procure and implement effective charging solutions.'