New tool to help target public EV charger installation
A new project has been launched to help local authorities target EV charger installation where it is needed most.
The collaboration between Ordnance Survey and Transport for the North (TfN) aims to address the regional divide that has seen parts of the country lag behind in charger provision, as well as address inequity in charger access at a local level.
Covering the whole of the north of England, from Cumbria and Northumberland to Cheshire and Greater Manchester, the work has mapped which of the region’s 6.4 million households have driveways or off-street parking, and which do not.
Drivers without access to private off-street parking are at a significant disadvantage when it comes to charging an EV. It is hoped the tool will help councils identify areas with the greatest need and target the installation of public chargers where drivers can’t install their own private devices.
The recent EV State of Play report from TfN revealed that the north has a higher proportion (47%) of households without driveways, compared to the national average (40%). It also showed that the north has a high dependence on cars, emphasising the need for council-backed public charging to help drivers switch to an EV.
The new analysis highlighted some significant differences within regions in the TfN area. In some areas 97% of homes have driveways or off-street parking while in others just 2% do. One road in Sunderland has over 500 homes but only 12% of them have driveways. Another street in the North West has more than 190 houses but only one with a driveway.
John Kimmance, chief customer officer at OS, said: “This latest partnership with Transport for the North has provided vital insight which will help local authorities in the region plan their EV infrastructure more effectively.
“While this will benefit the public in ultimately gaining greater access to EV charge points in the future, it will also potentially save local authorities thousands of pounds.”
Charger access and the cost of public charging are still seen as major obstacles to the adoption of EVs among drivers without off-street parking. Councils and private operators are working to install more kerbside devices in residential areas but the numbers still need to grow substantially.
The number of public chargers in the north of England has doubled in the last two years, to more than 17,500. However, TfN estimates that that must increase tenfold by 2030 to meet projected public demand.
The roll-out of the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund now means that £109 million is available across the region to support local authorities with improvements to public chargepoint provision.
