Brighton and Hove’s annual Charge and Drive event helped bring light to new council charging points.
The free event took place on Madeira Drive and gave residents the chance to try out a range of electric vehicles (EVs) in a relaxed environment with no pressure to purchase.
Councillor Trevor Muton, cabinet member for transport and sustainability at Brighton and Hove City Council, was in attendance and said: “I am really supportive of this Charge and Drive event.
“It gives people an opportunity to talk to the traders and see the range of types of vehicles there is and what might suit them.
“We are also working very closely with our partner Believ who are looking to put in rapid charging points and that’s going to start from this summer.”
The council is installing 200 rapid charging points and hopes to install at least two ultra rapid hubs which will help support the taxi trade.
These solutions are being put in place to support public charging for those who do not have access to off-street parking.
Simon. (Image: Martha Bolt)
Simon Tapp, who was test driving a BYD, said: “It was a very smooth drive, everything was really straight forward – signing in, getting the keys, being shown around, it’s been great.”
He told The Argus he would benefit from the electric chargers the council plans to put in.
He said: “Across the city they are quite sparse.
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“More infrastructure would definitely be good.”
James Leaver, who currently drives a petrol car, said: “I wasn’t planning to test drive an electric motorbike today.
“I just had a smile on my face for 10 minutes.”
James said he is thinking about getting an EV but, due to the flats he lives in, it is difficult to find somewhere to charge it.
“There is still quite a cost difference compared to charging at home and charging on the street.
“I’d prefer to have guaranteed charging at home.”
Kieran Fitsall, senior project manager for EVs, said: “We are very keen as a council to make that transition to an EV really easy for our residents.”
Kieran told The Argus that the cost to charge will vary between 39 pence overnight for a slower charge and around 70 pence for a fast charge.
The charging points set to be installed will be cashless and are connected to pay-as-you-go apps.
Argus editor Arron Hendy is writing a feature on one of Microvolt’s electric bikes and first tried it on Madeira Drive and the A259 towards Peacehaven. He said: “I can easily understand why you are seeing more of them across the county. They make the hills so much easier and the one I am using has space to carry a youngster to school on. This could transform the commute and the school-run.”
Hauler Cargo Bike (Image: Edited with Google AI)
The Charge & Drive event sponsors were Believ, BYD, Chery, Maeving, Eastbourne Motoring Centre, Microvolt, Anca Motor Group, Worthing Suzuki and Brighton and Hove City Council.