Weymouth, Portland and Chickerell charge ahead towards an electric future

The first phase of a multi-million-pound rollout of thousands of new on-street electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints for Dorset will be rolling out from the end of this summer, starting in Chickerell, Portland and Weymouth.

Earlier this year, Dorset Council and BCP Council unveiled a £16.5 million scheme to install over 3,000 on-street chargepoints across Dorset.

The scheme is being delivered by Connected Kerb. They have funded a large part of the scheme, in addition to the significant funding from the Department for Transport Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund.

The scheme will support EV drivers today and in the future by making charging more accessible for people without driveways or off-street parking. This is becoming more important as sales of new petrol and diesel vehicles are due to stop in 2030.

The first wave of installations is planned for residential areas in Weymouth, Portland and Chickerell this autumn.

Before plans are finalised, Dorset Council is holding local information sessions for residents. Sessions have already taken place in Chickerell and  Portland and residents in Weymouth in the planned locations are being invited to events in August.

Cllr Jon Andrews, Dorset Council Cabinet Member for Place Services, said: “This is great news for Weymouth, Chickerell and Portland and another important step in Dorset’s journey towards a cleaner, greener future.

“We know that access to charging is one of the biggest barriers for residents considering an electric vehicle, particularly for those without a driveway. By investing in on-street charging infrastructure, we're making it easier for more people to make the switch when the time is right for them.

“We understand that some residents may have concerns about losing on-street parking spaces so we are not introducing parking enforcement at this stage.

“This programme is about preparing Dorset for the future, supporting our communities and ensuring our towns are not left behind as transport continues to evolve.”
The first installations are expected to begin from September 2026 and continue in phases through the autumn and winter.

Following Weymouth, Chickerell and Portland, further locations including Swanage, Lyme Regis, Charmouth, Beaminster, West Bay and Bridport are expected to form part of the next stages of the programme.

The programme forms part of a county-wide EV charging network that will help residents, businesses and visitors access convenient charging closer to where they live and travel.

This initiative builds on Dorset Council’s commitment to reducing transport emissions and creating the infrastructure needed for the transition to electric vehicles.

Residents can find out more about the programme, including answers to frequently asked questions on the council website. 

Community information events will also be held throughout the roll-out programme, with all residents welcome to attend and learn more about the proposals and the council’s charging programme.