By charging batteries, Liverpool is charging confidence in an electric vehicle future. While most British cities are only beginning to seriously consider the development of EV infrastructure, Liverpool is already transforming streetlights into charging stations and eagerly listening to residents who suggest where these stations are most needed. Find out more at liverpoolname.com.
Charging Streets: How Liverpool is Expanding Its Network
Liverpool is literally integrating EV charging stations into its urban landscape. Over the past three years, the number of public charging points in the city has nearly quadrupled: from approximately 150 in 2021 to 670 by early 2025. The main breakthrough occurred in 2023 when Liverpool City Council, in partnership with ubitricity, installed 300 new chargers directly into existing lampposts. What’s more, installing one such point takes only about two hours! With a power output of up to 5 kW, these chargers can fully charge a car overnight.
In 2024, the city went even further, partnering with another company, char.gy, which installed an additional 300 stations, also predominantly on lampposts. The new points operate exclusively on energy from renewable sources, certified under the REGO scheme. This move makes charging more accessible while addressing carbon footprint concerns.
The infrastructure covers all areas of the city, with particular attention paid to densely populated neighbourhoods where residents do not have private driveways or garages to install their own charging devices. According to Liverpool City Council, thanks to the new points, 80% of city residents now have a charging station within walking distance.
The municipality has openly stated its goal: 2,000 charging points by 2027. To support the project, the city received over £10 million in investment through the government’s LEVI (Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure) programme and the regional Mayor’s fund. All this makes Liverpool one of the leaders in the pace of EV network rollout across the UK.
Who Decides Where to Install Charging Stations in Liverpool
Unlike many cities where decisions about charger placement are made “from above” in offices, things are much more democratic in Liverpool. Here, the location of each new charging point is determined by actual demand – residents themselves submit applications via the city council website or through partner platforms like char.gy. As of 2025, the municipality has been receiving an average of over ten requests per week – and each one is reviewed by the team responsible for planning electric transport infrastructure. This is a powerful testament to the adoption of green transport in the city.
At the core of this approach is a simple idea: charging should be where people genuinely need it. Therefore, new points most often appear near homes without private parking, on densely built-up streets, or next to social housing estates. This is also a matter of fairness, as these areas have traditionally been less covered by transport innovations.
Consideration is also given to the availability of parking space and access to the electricity grid. In some cases, chargers are integrated into existing lampposts, while in others, separate columns are installed if technical conditions allow. In any case, residents can see the process and influence it.
This approach helps ensure that city dwellers themselves embrace these innovative developments with greater enthusiasm. When a charging point appears on your street because you requested it, electric vehicles become closer to reality. They stop being just an idea from urban presentations or science fiction films.
