Bedford Borough to install 260 EV sockets with Connected Kerb, targeting 900-plus total under LEVI funding

Bedford Borough Council has partnered with Connected Kerb to deploy an initial 260 EV charging sockets across Bedford, Kempston and surrounding villages, focusing on areas without off-street parking. The rollout is funded by the Government's Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund, with the council planning to expand the network to more than 900 sockets in total to meet growing demand. Connected Kerb will install, maintain and manage the charging infrastructure on behalf of the council's Highways Engineering team.

Why it matters: The 260-socket first phase and 900-plus socket target signal a substantial procurement opportunity in a borough prioritising on-street charging for residents without driveways. CPOs and installers should note the LEVI-backed, council-led model with a single operator managing the network, a structure likely to be replicated in similar local authorities.