City Science was commissioned by Southwark Council to produce a central strategic vision for the roll out of electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints over the next three years (2023-2026), whilst also looking ahead to 2030. Informed by the results of the data analysis and stakeholder engagement process, we developed 12 key recommendations for Southwark Council to support the delivery of EV chargepoints across the borough.
Scope
The Strategy’s key objectives were:
City Science Response
We collaboratively identified key principles that would underpin strategy development to ensure the final EV Strategy aligned with and supported Southwark Council’s broader vision and goals. These included: Mode Shift, Accessibility, Inclusion, Flexibility and Future Proofing. Our evidence-led, three-staged approach consisted of the following steps.
Baseline Report
To understand the broader local context and the current EV infrastructure landscape, we produced a detailed and comprehensive baseline report which included:
- Policy Review: Of over 25 policies, strategies and documents to ensure the EV Strategy aligned with the latest policy landscape
- Local Context: Outlined and analysed key demographic and socio-economic variables (e.g. deprivation, population), housing types and parking infrastructure, businesses and employment sectors, sustainable transport context, local vehicle ownership and current EV demand to support the identification of key EV infrastructure need, gaps and opportunities.
- Existing Chargepoint Provision: Consolidated three data sources (Southwark’s in-house data, DfT data and London Datastores) to explore and assess Southwark’s existing public accessible chargepoint infrastructure and usage behaviour.
- Delivery Opportunities on Council-Owned Land: Identified preliminary opportunities to support the installation of chargepoints on land owned by Southwark Council.
Data Analysis & Forecasting
Using the National EV Insight & Strategy (NEVIS) Insight Toolkit, we outlined the projections of EV uptake and applied these outputs to forecast the anticipated public chargepoints needs to 2023, 2026 and 2030. This provided a tool for reviewing delivery to-date against anticipated demand and helped to direct the prioritisation of future delivery. We identified that Southwark had already made significant progress with deploying standard infrastructure and should prioritise rapid chargepoint delivery, as well as addressing any remaining gaps in the existing network, to ensure equitable access.
Infrastructure Delivery
To support the Council with delivering the anticipated EV chargepoint infrastructure, we considered the funding and financial options available alongside exploring how the Council could leverage being a significant land owner.
- Funding Mechanisms: Through desk-top research and chargepoint operator engagement, we outlined national available government funding opportunities and private sector delivery models.
- Delivery Opportunities on Council-Owned Land: Building on the Baseline Report, we explored key opportunities available to the Council including on-street parking, housing and fleet depots, public realm (e.g. leisure sites), car parks and new developments.
- Rapid Infrastructure: Identified low, medium and high priority areas determined by road flows for rapid infrastructure delivery and developed six key delivery principles to support the Council with identifying suitable locations.
- Insights & Best Practice: Explored cost to the user of public chargepoints, collated best practice guidance on enforcing EV bays in controlled parking zones and proposed potential EV bay restrictions for Southwark.
- Broader Considerations: Identified some of the broader considerations that impact EV roll out, including the needs and impact of EVs on the local energy network and new and emerging technologies that are important to consider to support the future proofing of the Strategy.
Stakeholder Engagement: The Strategy was developed in close collaboration with key stakeholders to ensure it harnessed local knowledge and expertise, and aligned with the needs of the borough. Our approach is outlined below.
Outcomes
We consolidated the results of the previous reports into a highly accessible and engaging 15-page Strategy document, outlining 12 key recommendations for Southwark Council to support the delivery of EV chargepoints across the borough. These included suggestions on preferred delivery models and funding streams, delivery opportunities on council-owned assets, the implementation and enforcement of EV only bays and specific chargepoint delivery targets to ensure that the borough maintains its status as one of the best for EV infrastructure.
What we can offer:
Approximately 3.5% of road travel in England relates to patients, visitors, staff, and suppliers to the NHS, equating to 14% of the system’s total emissions.
Through EV charging strategies, City Science can offer plans for the roll-out of hydrogen-electric Ambulances by 2032. There are further opportunities to decarbonise patient, visitor, and staff parking through effective planning of EV chargepoints and infrastructure.
Want to discuss the possibility of having an EV Strategy – Email: info@cityscience.com