Gloucestershire County Council has published advance notice of a significant forthcoming procurement: the EV installation LEVI contract, covering the county-wide provision of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Valued at approximately £174 million including VAT and spanning nearly 15 years, this is one of the largest local authority EV infrastructure procurements currently on the horizon in England.
This opportunity is relevant to charge point operators (CPOs), electrical contractors with EV infrastructure experience, EV technology providers, and businesses offering installation and long-term maintenance of public EV charging networks. If you are assessing your options, contact Thornton & Lowe for a rapid suitability review tailored to this opportunity.
About the LEVI Programme
LEVI stands for Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure – a Government programme supporting local authorities in funding and procuring public EV charging infrastructure. Gloucestershire County Council is using this route to develop a county-wide charging network, with the aim of supporting the transition to electric vehicles and meeting the county's decarbonisation commitments.
The framework is county-wide in scope, covering the provision and ongoing maintenance of EV charging points across Gloucestershire. With a duration of just under 15 years and a contract value of £174 million, the long-term nature of this procurement is notable: it reflects the expectation that EV infrastructure will require ongoing investment, technology refresh, and active management well into the 2030s and beyond.
Read our guide on how to win EV charging infrastructure tenders in the UK for further context.
Who Should Be Interested?
While this is clearly an opportunity for the EV infrastructure sector, the audience is broader than a simple "renewable energy" label might suggest. Businesses that should be closely tracking this procurement include:
- Charge point operators (CPOs) with experience deploying public charging networks
- Electrical contractors with EV charging installation capability
- EV technology manufacturers or distributors with public sector experience
- Infrastructure management businesses capable of maintaining networks at scale over long periods
- Businesses offering smart or connected charging management platforms
Bidding Considerations
The procurement is currently at the prior information notice (PIN) stage, with the formal tender estimated for release on 1 September 2026. Now is the time to prepare.
- Monitor for lot structure detail: The formal tender will confirm whether the contract is a single award or structured across lots by geography, technology type, or service category. This will significantly influence bid strategy.
- Align with local authority decarbonisation objectives: Gloucestershire has clear climate commitments. Your bid should demonstrate how your solution supports the council's goals, not just meet the technical specification.
- Plan for the long term: Nearly 15 years is an unusually long contract. Bidders will need to address lifecycle management, technology refresh planning, and adaptability to future EV standards. Generic installation capability alone is unlikely to be sufficient.
- Consider partnerships and supply chain: Smaller or specialist businesses may find that partnering with a larger contractor – or positioning as a specialist subcontractor – is a viable and competitive route.
Quick Facts
- Framework value: £174,000,000 including VAT
- Term: 14 years, 11 months
- Contracting authority: Gloucestershire County Council
- Scope: Provision and maintenance of EV charging points (county-wide)
- View the advance notice on Find a Tender
Key Dates
- Estimated formal tender publication: 1 September 2026
To discuss your strategy for the Gloucestershire LEVI contract, or for a tailored bid readiness review, contact Thornton & Lowe. Our expert team can help you assess fit and build a compelling approach for this high-value, long-term infrastructure opportunity.
