The Crown Commercial Service (CCS) is supporting the drive towards a lower carbon economy by making it easier for the public sector to buy electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.

It supports the drive to increase the use of EVs, reduce carbon footprint and meet the target for central government departments to electrify 25% of their fleets by 2022.

The services on offer range from consultancy and feasibility, groundworks, civil engineering and construction, hardware, software and back office solutions, through to a full end-to-end service.

Suppliers including SMEs are now able to join this agreement. More than 50 suppliers are in the process of applying to join, with eight already appointed. 

Buyers can now use this agreement to undertake contracts to meet their specific requirements for vehicle charging infrastructure.

Joanne Kenny, CCS commercial agreement manager, said: “We are seeing an increased demand for electric vehicle charging points at public buildings as more and more people use electric vehicles. This DPS complements other CCS energy and fleet agreements to offer a total green fleet solution for our customers.”

Suppliers and customers can choose from ‘buyer funded’, ‘supplier funded’ or a third option for customers who have yet to decide on how they will fund the infrastructure. 

The scope of the Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Solutions agreement provides buyers with a range of products and services available in the market which will enable them to define and procure appropriate services and products to meet their individual needs and funding model.

This includes the installation of VCIS for public sector fleets and their workforce, home charging, and vehicle charging facilities which provide a service to the general public in locations such as on-street residential areas and off-street car parks.