Is there room for EV charging at your South Tyneside business?
South Tyneside had 265 public chargers on 1 July 2026 [S1]. Its overall charger density is close to the UK comparison, while rapid charging provision is lower. That difference does not prove a commercial gap. Check the council's expansion plans, nearby access and your supply cost before comparing fully funded, part funded and self funded options. Checked October 2026.
How much public charging is already available in South Tyneside?
On 1 July 2026, DfT counted 265 public chargers, including 17 rapid chargers, across South Tyneside. The distinction matters when deciding whether your customers need a short charging stop or energy during a longer visit. [S1]
| Area | Public chargers per 100,000 people | Rapid chargers per 100,000 |
|---|---|---|
| South Tyneside | 175.0 | 11.2 |
| North East | 150.2 | 37.1 |
| UK | 174.9 | 41.7 |
The comparison is calculated from council records, using public count ÷ published rate × 100,000 to infer each population. Aggregate counts divided by aggregated populations give the regional and UK rates. These are approximate because the input rates are rounded. [S1] The regional page provides context.
The 2026 Q2 vehicle snapshot shows 3,281 plug-ins, including 2,224 battery electric vehicles; 2,562 plug-ins were privately kept. These are overlapping classifications at keepers’ addresses, not a survey of drivers needing your bays. [S2]
Could council expansion change demand at your site?
The council’s capital strategy describes a planned borough rollout of 2,000 new charge points. That is a programme intention, not the number operating in the July dataset. Ask which nearby sites are proposed and which are live before assuming a lasting gap. [S3]
Its digital strategy identifies traditional terraced housing without off-street parking as a charging challenge. [S10] A business considering evening access should therefore test nearby residents’ interest alongside its own customers’ needs. This is a demand hypothesis, not evidence of future utilisation.
At a Jarrow site or South Shields premises, compare actual entrances, opening hours and walking routes. Car park operators should examine whether charging can work alongside normal parking; hospitality businesses should count customer dwell time before choosing power.
What could a rapid charger earn after connection costs?
This example tests a short-stay business car park. Direct current (DC) rapid charging is the equipment assumption; kilowatts (kW) measure its power and kilowatt-hours (kWh) the energy sold. It is an illustration, not a quote.
| Assumption or cost input | Value |
|---|---|
| Charger | One 50 kW DC unit |
| Installed charger, excluding grid | £15,000–£45,000 budget range [S8], [S9] |
| Supply upgrade | £40,000 included; published range £40,000–£150,000 [S8] |
| Extra groundworks and cables | £5,000 assumed |
| Total capital | £60,000–£90,000 |
| Low / mid / high daily sessions | 2 / 5 / 10, across 365 days |
| Energy per session | 25 kWh assumed |
| Driver price / energy cost | £0.65 / £0.25 per kWh, excluding VAT, assumed |
| Software and maintenance | £1,500 yearly assumed |
| fully funded share | 10% of sales assumed |
| part funded terms | 50% capital contribution; 60% of operating surplus assumed |
The upgrade is included even if an early equipment-only calculation looks attractive. The cited commercial ranges are budgeting references, not evidence of the cost or network capacity at your premises. [S8], [S9]
| Annual host outcome | Low use | Mid use | High use |
|---|---|---|---|
| fully funded income | £1,186 | £2,966 | £5,931 |
| part funded net | £3,480 | £10,050 | £21,000 |
| part funded ROI | 7.7–11.6% | 22.3–33.5% | 46.7–70.0% |
| part funded payback, years | 8.6–12.9 | 3.0–4.5 | 1.4–2.1 |
| self funded net | £5,800 | £16,750 | £35,000 |
| self funded ROI | 6.4–9.7% | 18.6–27.9% | 38.9–58.3% |
| self funded payback, years | 10.3–15.5 | 3.6–5.4 | 1.7–2.6 |
Sales = daily sessions × 365 × 25 × £0.65. Operating surplus = daily sessions × 365 × 25 × (£0.65 − £0.25) − £1,500.
For fully funded charging, the provider pays for installation, owns the charger and operates it; you provide parking and collect the assumed sales share. It pays energy and maintenance here. For part funded charging, your £30,000–£45,000 investment receives 60% of the surplus; agree ownership separately. For self funded charging, you provide the full investment and retain that surplus.
Simple return on investment (ROI) = annual net to you ÷ your capital × 100. Simple payback years = your capital ÷ annual net. The model excludes finance, tax, grants, payment fees, energy losses, standing charges, rates and equipment replacement. Add each to the payback tool before making a decision.
Which approvals and funding conditions need checking?
Northern Powergrid’s own licence map covers the area. The distribution network operator (DNO) must confirm the connection serving your site; geographic coverage says nothing about spare capacity. [S4]
Workplace Charging Scheme support is capped at £500 per socket, within a 75% eligible-cost limit and 40 sockets per applicant, until 31 March 2027. Check the intended use and voucher requirements before including support in your budget. [S5] Ask your accountant about qualifying capital allowances. [S6]
Public customer charging can engage pricing, payment and support duties under the public charging regulations. Allocate them with your solicitor. [S7] Request council planning checks for the design and examine accessible routes before allocating bays. Have the contract address parking displacement, insurance, business rates, lease duration, redevelopment rights and who pays for removal on exit.
Next step for a South Tyneside proposal
Bring the proposed hours, a parking layout and power information to get matched with an installer that covers your area.
Piggy Pineapple Ltd runs this referral service and may be paid when an enquiry is referred to an installer partner. The owner holds shares in at least one partner. We identify the proposed recipient and disclose whether the owner holds shares in it before forwarding your details. Read our referral process.
How many plug-in vehicles share each public charger here?
South Tyneside has 9.7 privately kept plug-in vehicles for every public charger, ranked 289 of 357 UK councils (1 = most vehicles per charger). The UK figure is 13.1; the middle council has 17.8.
That is fewer than most councils: the public network here is already relatively dense, so a new site needs a clear reason drivers will stop, such as dwell time or a customer offer.
See every council ranked, or check your own site by postcode.
Common questions
What costs sit outside the installed charger price?
A supply upgrade can be a separate £40,000–£150,000 cost. Ask for grid work, cable routes and groundworks to be identified explicitly, rather than treating the charger range as a complete site budget. [S8]
How do you compare charging quotations fairly?
Give each bidder the same site layout and access requirements. Compare itemised equipment, civil works, electrical work, commissioning and recurring fees before looking at the total. [S9]
What should happen before an installation date is agreed?
Complete the site survey and supply assessment, establish permissions, then request a programme for works and commissioning. Infrastructure requirements can change the schedule. [S9]
What does the chargepoint capital allowance cover?
HMRC describes a 100% first-year allowance for qualifying expenditure, extended through 31 March 2027 for Corporation Tax and 5 April 2027 for Income Tax. Confirm qualification and tax treatment with your accountant. [S6]
Who handles drivers when a public charger fails?
The public charging rules require a staffed telephone helpline available at all times for public chargepoint users. Name the responsible operator in the contract and have your solicitor check the allocation. [S7]
Ask about your site
Sources
- Public EV chargers by local authority, EVCI0102, Department for Transport,Last checked 17 October 2026
- Licensed plug-in vehicles by local authority, VEH0142, Department for Transport,Last checked 17 October 2026
- Capital and Investment Strategy 2025 to 2030, South Tyneside Council,Last checked 17 October 2026
- All DNO Licence Area Boundaries map, Northern Powergrid,Last checked 17 October 2026
- Workplace Charging Scheme guidance for installers, Office for Zero Emission Vehicles,Last checked 17 October 2026
- Capital allowances extension for electric vehicle chargepoints, HM Revenue and Customs,Last checked 17 October 2026
- Public Charge Point Regulations 2023, UK legislation,Last checked 17 October 2026
- Workplace and rapid charger installation cost ranges, Commercial installation cost reference,Last checked 17 October 2026
- Commercial installation costs and project questions, Commercial installation cost reference,Last checked 17 October 2026
- Digital Infrastructure Strategy, South Tyneside Council,Last checked 17 October 2026