1,500 New Chargepoints—and Four Tyres Still to Check

North Northamptonshire's 1,500 new EV chargepoints explained, plus why tyres, brakes and battery health still matter for EV drivers in Corby.

The short answer: more chargepoints will make owning an electric vehicle easier around Corby, but they won't check your tyre tread, brake wear or 12V battery for you. Charging infrastructure and vehicle condition are two separate jobs, and it's worth keeping them that way.

What's actually happening with the chargepoint rollout

North Northamptonshire Council has announced a major new partnership with charge-point operator Connected Kerb to deliver more than 1,500 new electric vehicle charging sockets across the region, co-funded by Connected Kerb and supported by £2.9 million from the Government's Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure fund.

Over the next three to five years, the rollout will deliver a threefold expansion of the current network of publicly available chargepoints, with installations planned across 320 new sites including all 12 towns, more than 20 villages, and at least 20 council-owned car parks. By 2030, the number of sockets is expected to rise to at least 2,000, aimed particularly at the 30% of households without a private driveway.

It's a genuine boost for anyone considering an EV, or already running one without off-street parking. But it's still a proposal being rolled out over years, not something switched on overnight—worth bearing in mind if you're planning around specific streets or towns.

Why tyres and brakes still need the same attention

EVs are heavier than equivalent petrol or diesel cars because of the battery pack, and they deliver instant torque from a standstill. Both factors put extra load on tyres, which can wear faster than owners expect—particularly on the front axle or on cars used for a lot of stop-start town driving.

Regenerative braking also changes how conventional brakes are used. Many EV drivers barely touch the brake pedal, which is good for pad life but can occasionally lead to corrosion or seizing on discs that don't get exercised. A periodic check catches this before it becomes a bigger job.

A few practical habits worth keeping

• Check tyre pressures monthly—EVs are sensitive to under-inflation given the extra weight.
• Have tread depth and wear patterns checked at each service, not just when a warning light appears.
• Get brakes inspected even if they feel fine; low usage doesn't always mean low risk.
• Keep an eye on the 12V auxiliary battery, which still powers lights and electronics even in a full EV.

Where Central Autopoint fits in

We service and repair EVs and hybrids alongside conventional cars and vans up to 3.5 tonnes, and tyres and brakes are part of that day-to-day work. If the new chargepoints have you thinking seriously about going electric, or you'd simply like your current EV given a proper once-over, pop into our Maylan Road workshop or give us a call on 01536 261619.

Prepared as locally relevant editorial content for human review before publication on the garage website.