Is Somerset Ready for Electric Cars?

Is Somerset ready for electric cars?

Yes, Somerset is becoming highly prepared for electric vehicles. Somerset Council has secured £3.78 million through the central government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund to deploy a minimum of 1,606 new public charging sockets across the county. This massive transport infrastructure upgrade includes lower-powered 7kW AC units optimized for overnight residential streets and up to 20 rapid chargers (50kW+). Howards Motor Group actively supports this transition across its Somerset showrooms in Taunton, Weston-super-Mare, and Yeovil, stocking a full line up of electric and hybrid vehicles from brands like Toyota, Kia, Hyundai, Nissan, and Peugeot.

The big news: £3.78 million for Somerset's charging network

Somerset Council has finalized a long-term 17-year concession contract to fundamentally restructure the county's public transport infrastructure. Financed by £3.78 million from the Government's Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund, the rollout introduces a minimum of 1,606 new public charging sockets across regional towns, rural villages, and local communities.

According to Councillor Richard Wilkins, Lead Member for Transport:

"Without LEVI funding, the deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in more rural, lower-demand, and commercially less viable areas of Somerset would be unlikely."

Seaside town street scene with traffic, a bus stop, and a seagull on a shelter roof.

Electric vehicle charging stations in a row with cars parked nearby.

Resolving the Driveway Dilemma in Taunton, Weston, & Bridgwater

Data reveals that approximately 27% of Somerset households do not have off-street parking or driveways. In older terraced streets across high-density areas like Taunton, Weston-super-Mare, and Bridgwater, that percentage rises significantly. To mitigate this barrier to EV ownership, the LEVI rollout features targeted community solutions:

Lamp-Column Sockets: Making use of existing streetlight networks to supply on-street charging without cluttering the sidewalks.

Public Input Placements: Residents without personal driveways can submit specific local site recommendations via the Somerset Council portal.

Rural Safeguards: A minimum of 25% of the total 1,606 new sockets are legally allocated for rural market towns and villages, ensuring the Somerset Levels, Exmoor, and the Quantocks are fully covered.

Charger Classification	Power Output Capacity	Primary Use Case Scenario
Low-Powered AC Infrastructure	Up to 7kW	Overnight residential parking and long-stay urban car parks.
Rapid DC Infrastructure	50kW and above	Fast en-route top-ups (20–30 minutes) along primary transit lines.

Somerset currently features around 300 active public chargepoints, demonstrating a 30% increase since 2022. Confirmed upcoming deployment hubs include the Oxford Street car park in Burnham-on-Sea, with subsequent locations scheduled following public reviews.

Transitioning to Electric with Howards Motor Group

With infrastructure expanding rapidly, driving an electric vehicle offers real day-to-day utility. Howards Motor Group accommodates motorists across regional showrooms in Taunton, Weston-super-Mare, and Yeovil. Our multi-brand alternative fuel lineup includes:

Toyota & Kia: Renowned engineering reliability paired with segment-leading manufacture warranties.
Hyundai & Nissan: Highly advanced electric platforms optimized for maximum real-world range.
Peugeot, Citroën, Vauxhall, & Fiat: Highly efficient, accessible urban hatchbacks and compact commuter cars.
Honda, Abarth, & Leapmotor: Expressive performance models and next-generation smart compact EVs.

Ready to explore electric?

Visit your closest Howards showroom in Taunton, Yeovil or Weston-super-Mare today, or explore our complete alternative-fuel vehicle stock online at howardsgroup.co.uk

Is Somerset ready for electric? Your complete guide to EV charging across the county