DMNH 042 - LEVI Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

Shropshire Council is undertaking a secondary preliminary market engagement (PME) exercise in advance of a planned procurement for the delivery of publicly accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure (EVCI) across Shropshire. Since undertaking its initial market engagement exercise, the Council has refined its proposed delivery model, concession structure, funding assumptions and site identification methodology. This secondary PME is intended to test these emerging proposals with the market and ensure that the eventual procurement is structured to maximise competition, attract investment and deliver a sustainable, equitable public charging network across Shropshire. The Council intends to procure a concession contract for the supply, installation, connection, operation and maintenance of electric vehicle charging infrastructure funded through the Department for Transport's Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund. This secondary PME is being conducted in accordance with the market engagement provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 and is intended solely to inform the design and conduct of a future procurement. Participation in this engagement exercise will not confer any advantage or disadvantage in any subsequent procurement process. The Council currently anticipates commencing a formal procurement process during 2026, with contract award anticipated in 2027. Background Shropshire currently has approximately 546 public charge points. The Council has secured £2,006,000 of LEVI funding and expects to facilitate the deployment of over 550 additional charge points across the county. The programme is intended to improve access to EV charging, particularly for residents without access to off-street parking, and support the transition to electric vehicles across both urban and rural communities. Proposed Opportunity The Council is considering appointing a charge point operator under a concession contract to: Design, install, connect and operate EV charge p