Local EV firm Weev has been appointed to deliver more than 250 public charge points across nine council areas, a move welcomed by Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins and Derry and Strabane's Deputy Mayor, Alderman Niree McMorris.

The rollout is part of the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles' (OZEV) On Street Residential Charge Point Scheme (ORCS).

Under the contract, Weev will supply, connect and operate chargers located both on-street and in council-owned car parks, focusing on residential neighbourhoods that do not have driveways or other off-street parking.

The ORCS programme is led by Derry City & Strabane District Council as Lead Council of the NI EV Consortium, which represents nine local councils, the Department for Infrastructure and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

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The scheme represents an investment of more than £2 million, part funded by OZEV, the Department for Infrastructure and Weev.

Ms Kimmins said: "I am delighted my Department has been able assist in the funding of over 250 charge points which will widen the electric vehicle charge point offering across nine local council areas for the public and local businesses. This shows my ongoing commitment for my Department to support, where possible, the expansion of EV charging facilities across the north, as the adoption of electric vehicles gathers pace as we move towards Net Zero."

Alderman Niree McMorris said: "Improving access to charge points is another positive step in progressing the move towards sustainable, cleaner travel. It will make electric charging more accessible and convenient for users and encourage the switch to electric vehicles. Council has been taking an active role as lead of the consortium and along with our partner councils we will continue to lobby for more support for the improvement of local EV infrastructure."

Installation sites are planned in residential areas across a range of towns and cities, with work due to begin in the coming weeks.

Thomas O'Hagan, Weev CCO said: "We are delighted to be awarded the ORCS contract and play our part in growing Northern Ireland's EV infrastructure. The growth of EV charger installations and EV car uptake is vital if we are going to reach the net zero targets set by the Government. Initiatives like ORCS, driven by local councils will have a huge role to play."