Leeds has switched on its first public on-street electric vehicle (EV) charge point in the city centre, marking a new milestone in the city’s push for cleaner, low-carbon travel.
The new charging facility on St Paul’s Street is expected to make it easier for residents, commuters and visitors to power up their vehicles as part of everyday travel. City leaders say it helps tackle a key obstacle to adopting electric vehicles — access to convenient, reliable charging, especially for people who do not have driveways or other off-street parking options.
The installation forms part of Leeds’ wider ambition to become the UK’s first net zero city and supports the aims of the city’s Connecting Leeds transport strategy. A key focus of the plan is to help drivers transition to electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles by improving charging coverage across neighbourhoods and key destinations.
The city-centre launch is also the first step in a broader rollout planned for 2026, with a further 70 charge points expected to be installed across Leeds. The programme will be funded by operator Believ in partnership with Leeds City Council and will include both on-street and off-street locations.
Proposed sites range from residential areas to community halls, sports centres and additional city-centre locations.
Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space said:
“As a city, we are striving to become the first net zero city in the UK by reducing carbon emissions and reversing the decline in biodiversity, by supporting people to make more sustainable choices.
“Although the best choice is always cycling, walking or travelling by public transport, we know that this is not always an option.
“We want to make it easy for people to switch to electric or hybrid vehicles and this first public on-street EV charge point is an important step towards delivering a comprehensive charging network that meets the needs of our residents and visitors.”
Guy Bartlett, CEO of Believ said:
“We’re proud to be supporting Leeds with the installation of its first on-street EV charge point and to be working in partnership with the council to expand charging access across the city.
“Believ’s fully funded rollout will help deliver a reliable charging network, supporting residents and visitors to make the switch to electric vehicles. This is an important step in helping Leeds achieve its net zero ambitions and build a more sustainable transport network for the future.”
Supporters of the scheme say the expanded network will help households and businesses that are keen to cut emissions but have been held back by limited charging options. By placing charge points in everyday locations, the council hopes to make EV ownership more practical and encourage a shift away from petrol and diesel vehicles. The St Paul’s Street charge point is now live and available for public use, with further locations due to be confirmed as the 2026 expansion gathers pace.
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