Sustainability Roundtable Decarbonising Transport EVs Summary Blog – 11 June 2024

The focus was on promoting the shift from petrol and diesel vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs), emphasising the need for a substantial increase in EV adoption. Key to this transition is the development of charging infrastructure to boost consumer and business confidence in purchasing EVs. 

The roundtable included presentations from councils experienced in the decarbonisation agenda and EV initiatives, followed by breakout room group discussions.

Derbyshire County Council's Ambitious EV Infrastructure Plan

In recent years, the climate change team within Derbyshire County Council’s has been working to support the county's transition to electric vehicles (EVs). They play a crucial role in shaping the EV and charging infrastructure strategy.

Previously, EV infrastructure in Derbyshire was managed by individual districts and boroughs through the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS). In 2022, the county council began developing a comprehensive strategy and delivery plan with the assistance of Jacobs consultancy firm.

Doubling Charging Points by 2025

The council aims to double the number of charging points by 2025 from 2023 levels. To achieve this, they conducted market testing to explore commercial procurement models with districts and boroughs. This collaborative approach helped refine site locations and develop action plans for the next two years.

The council’s EV strategy is supported by £6.6 million in LEVI funding. This funding is divided into two schemes: £2.5 million for approximately 3000 lamp column chargers and £4.1 million for around 2000 on-street residential chargers at 800 sites, managed by Midland Connect.

Legal and Logistical Challenges

The council faces legal challenges, particularly concerning procurement limits within the Oxford City Council DPS, which caps contract values at £5.3 million. Solutions and alternatives are currently being explored.

Engaging the Public

The council launched an ongoing public survey, promoted through social media. With around 900 respondents so far, there is a clear demand for more residential chargers, even among those who do not currently own an EV. 

Supporting Households and New EV Projects

Recent government funding initiatives support households without off-street parking by covering 75% of the cost of installing EV chargepoints, up to £350. However, the council is still awaiting guidance on how to respond to this funding opportunity.

In addition, the council has initiated work on the Markham Vale Hub, an EV-only charging service area off the M1. This innovative hub will feature 30 medium and high-power chargers, a waiting lounge with amenities, and an educational space about EVs.

Shropshire's Path to a Greener Future: The Drive for Public EV Charging

Transport plays a significant role in this journey, contributing to 25% of the county's carbon footprint. While the council's emissions make up about 2.5% of Shropshire’s total, but they can influence up to 30% of the total emissions. 

Building a Robust EV Charging Network

High road usage demands an efficient EV charging infrastructure. The council has secured several government grants to install public EV charging points, focusing on residents without off-street parking. The Agile Streets project kicked off in 2021, adding 25 on-street EV chargers. This was followed by the On-Road Charging Scheme (ORCS), which added another 25 chargers in 2022 and plans for 270 more by 2023/24.

Initial efforts targeted council-owned car parks near residential areas, but on-street installations faced challenges. Issues like insufficient grid connections, grid capacity, and resident objections over lost parking spaces. Seasonal flooding also poses a risk to EV charger installations.

Funding and Future Plans

With approximately £2,000,000 in capital funding, Shropshire Council aims to double its current number of charge points. Additionally, they have organised events such as "Shropshire Goes Green" and "Shropshire Green" to raise awareness. These events showcased innovations like solar EVs, battery storage, and EV charge points.

The council is also transitioning its fleet from petrol/diesel to electric where possible, currently operating around 15 EVs and 25 hybrids out of a fleet of about 230. With technology rapidly improving the council aims to expand the scheme. 

Exploring Green Hydrogen and Innovative Transport Solutions

Shropshire Council are also fostering the growth of green hydrogen production, aiming to make the county a key national hub for this technology. The goal is to develop scalable pilots and a network of small-scale modular hydrogen facilities.

They recently launched an EV bus and on-demand bus service for residents to book journeys via an app or phone, selecting their pick-up and drop-off points. This service has been well-received, highlighting the potential for flexible, sustainable transport options in rural areas.

Spotlight Q&A – with answers provided from presenters and delegates:

Q. A delegate enquired about public engagement activities, mandatory or voluntary, related to the proposed on-street charges?

A. As a County Council, we collaborated with the districts and boroughs as part of our LEVI funding and overall EV strategy. They had developed their own delivery plans and conducted various schemes over the past six years, giving them a solid understanding of where EV chargers should be located. For off-street parking, car parks, and residential charging points, we information gathered and compiled with a consultancy firm used data to identify optimal sites. We prioritised the districts' and boroughs' recommendations, focusing on both their top priorities and the locations where installation would be more straightforward.

Q.  How have councils dealt with scepticism and misinformation from the public?

A. Attendees in public showcases and events are less likely to be sceptical because attendees are interested in the green agenda. While the media often reports negatively, on the ground, scepticism is minimal. The main pushbacks we've faced are related to parking issues.

Breakout Room Discussion Summary

EV Payment Models and Channels:

• The Concession Model was mentioned by councils with this model have faced challenges, including high development and operational costs, which have delayed the installation of chargers. 
• The Own and Operate Model. Councils mentioned that this was advantageous 10 years ago during installation and funding availability, but it now presents long-term maintenance challenges. Councils are exploring bolt-on solutions to mitigate the ongoing costs associated with council-owned charging points.

Engagement:

• Key lessons shared include the importance of engaging with the Strategic Transport Authority (STV), Distribution Network Operators (DNO), and other councils to leverage their expertise. 
• Collaboration and consultation with partners, distribution network operators, and elected members have proven crucial. Efforts to engage the commercial sector, particularly around retail parks, often face complex land ownership issues, making it a less prioritised area.

Key Notable Practice:

• Durham County Council installed 34 chargers, but they encountered issues when an internet service provider cut through cables during fibre installations. This highlighted the necessity of collaboration with transport and planning departments for due consideration of environmental factors, other projects, and associated costs/impacts. 

Overall, the roundtable emphasised the importance of shared experiences and collaborative strategies in advancing the EV agenda, helping councils navigate the complexities of decarbonising transport.