Find a charging point in our area and tell us if we need more
To find the location of charge points in Central Bedfordshire and nationally, visit Zap Map.
This also contains information on the types of charge point available, their availability and any feedback from users. Charge point coverage is increasing as they are installed at local facilities, such as; supermarkets, service stations and businesses.
Our charging points
We are currently working with BP Pulse to install charge points across Central Bedfordshire, to build the public network and provide access to residential charging. This work also involves replacing and upgrading lots of our existing charge points, which will improve the quality and reliability of the network in the area.
In the months ahead we will start working with other operators to provide additional charge points of different types, and widen coverage to 2030 and beyond.
Since the start of 2023, we have installed 128 x 7-kilowatt charge points across 16 sites in various towns and villages in Central Bedfordshire. These primarily provide local access to charging for residents who cannot charge a vehicle at home. These installations were largely supported by funding we secured through the Government’s On-Street Residential Charge Point Scheme, totalling over £650,000. The locations where we installed were chosen as they were within walking distance of identified need in those specific settlements.
Charge points are installed at the following locations:
- Recreation Ground, High Street, Arlesey, SG15 6SN
- The Baulk Car Park, The Baulk, Biggleswade, SG18 0PU
- Cranfield Village Hall, Court Road, Cranfield, MK43 0DR
- Priory Gardens Car Park, Church Street, Dunstable, LU5 4RS
- Land adjacent to Downside Community Centre, Suffolk Road, Dunstable, LU5 4ES
- West Street Car Park, West Street, Dunstable, LU6 1SE
- Flitwick Village Hall, Dunstable Road, Flitwick, MK45 1HP
- Gravenhurst Village Hall, Recreation Rise, Gravenhurst, MK45 4JG
- Henlow Park Pavilion, Groveside, Henlow, SG16 6AP
- Tithe Farm Recreation Ground Car Park, Tithe Farm Road, Houghton Regis, LU5 5JF
- Baker Street Car Park, Baker Street, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1FP
- Linslade Memorial Playing Field Car Park, Mentmore Road, Leighton Linslade, LU7 2NZ
- Parking Bays, The Brache, Maulden, MK45 2DZ
- Parking Bays, Market Square, Potton, SG19 2NP
- Shefford Town Memorial Hall, Hitchin Road, Shefford, SG17 5JQ
- Brook Street Car Park, High Street, Stotfold, SG5 4LQ
Plans are also being finalised to complete installations at the following locations:
- The Vynes Car Park, Weston Avenue, Leighton Linslade, LU7 4JT
- Town Centre Car Park, High Street, Sandy, SG18 1AG
- Stotfold Memorial Hall, Hallworth Drive, Stotfold, SG5 4HR
Each site provides 4 dual socket 7-kilowatt charge points, providing the ability to charge 8 vehicles in total. Depending on the vehicle type, battery size, and state of charge, these charge points should charge the average vehicle in 6 to 10 hours. These slower speeds are more suitable for residential use, particularly overnight charging.
The charge points are operated and managed by BP Pulse, with pricing set as per their national tariffs. There are different rates available depending on whether you are using PAYG or their membership scheme. There is no fee to using the parking space.
Since the start of 2024, we have installed 14 x 50-kilowatt rapid charge points over 6 sites in urban areas and close to main roads. This project widens the network of rapid charge points for residents, businesses, and visitors, and upgrades existing charge points where required. The number of charge points varies across sites, depending on demand and electrical capacity.
Charge points are installed at the following locations:
- St. Mary’s Gate Car Park, West Street, Dunstable, LU6 1GB
- Houghton Hall Park, Park Road North, Houghton Regis, LU5 5XE
- Town Centre Car Park, Old Station Way, Shefford, SG17 5ED
- Grove View Car Park, Court Drive, Dunstable, LU5 4EX
- All Saint’s View, Sapphire Place, Houghton Regis, LU5 5LP
- Stotfold Football Club, Arlesey Road, Stotfold, SG5 4HE
Plans are also being finalised to complete installations at the following locations:
- Priory View, Church Street, Dunstable, LU5 4FG
- Hockliffe Street Car Park, Hockliffe Street, Leighton Linslade, LU7 1RW
- Town Centre Car Park, High Street, Sandy, SG19 1AG
Future charge point installations
We've been successful in securing £1,761,000 through the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund. This funding supports local authorities in the planning and delivery of primarily local, low power charging infrastructure for residential use.
Our allocation will help to increase investment in the area and accelerate the rollout of charging technologies in the years ahead, working in partnership with private sector operators. We will be working with Town and Parish Councils and communities in the months and years ahead to find suitable locations for charge points to meet identified local need.
Where do we need charge points?
We receive lots of requests and queries about electric vehicles and charging points. To help us build evidence and understand where the demand is, we need to hear from you.
Tell us if you need to charge your vehicle
Please note that submitting a request does not guarantee the installation of a charge point at the suggested location. Due to constraints such as the ability to connect to the grid, available electrical capacity, cost, and expected usage, not all locations are suitable for charge point provision. However, this does help us to build a picture of demand across the area and assists with the planning and prioritisation of rollout.
If you have a question about electric vehicles or charging, please contact us at begreen@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.
Charging at home
If you have dedicated off-street parking within the curtilage of your property and you own the area where the car is parked, then you can install a domestic charge point at your home under permitted development rights,
If you do not, then it is likely that formal planning permission will be required to approve an installation. You can request pre-application advice if formal planning approval is required. Information on electric vehicle chargers is also available on the Planning Portal.
Any domestic charge point installation would need to be installed at your expense. There are electric vehicle charging grants available, although the scope of these is narrower for homeowners with a greater focus on those in rental properties and flats, and those reliant on on-street parking. The government provides a list of approved installers who will also be able to advise further.
It is estimated that 30-40% of the UK’s population does not have dedicated off-street parking and we are aware that electric vehicle ownership and home charging are a challenge for these residents. The majority of our focus in delivering charge point infrastructure is to provide access to charging for these residents.
As part of solving this problem, we have been installing charge points in car parks and parking areas to provide local charging hubs and will continue to do so through the coming years. In addition, we have undertaken two pilot schemes of pavement cable channels. We do not support the trailing of cables across the footway or public highway due to the safety risk this presents. You would be liable for any criminal or civil proceedings if your cable causes an accident.
In March 2024, the government announced a new grant scheme for households with on-street parking. This provides a discount on the purchase and installation of a charge point where the resident has our approval to install a cross-pavement charging solution. As such, we hope to be able to make these pavement cable channels publicly available to residents soon so that they can take advantage of the grant funding.
As with previous government grant schemes we also hope that these will continue in the years ahead.
There are websites and apps available, such as JustPark and Co Charger, that aim to bridge the gap for those who cannot charge at home. These platforms enable people with EV charger points at home to share them with neighbours and other local residents.
If you rent
If you rent your property, you should discuss this with the property owner.
If you live in a flat
If you live in a flat or apartment, you will need to discuss this with the freeholder. The parking space will need to be close to a power source and you will need to consider how the space will be managed if it is not reserved for your flat.
Building regulations
The Building Regulations were updated in June 2022 and now require all new-build and retrofit homes and commercial buildings in England to be installed with electric vehicle charging points.
Charging at work
It is the responsibility of the owner of the workplace car park to install charge points. The government offers grant funding through the Workplace Charging Scheme to help eligible businesses, charities and public sector organisations to install charge points at their premises.