The UK’s transition to electric mobility is not showing signs of slowing down
Promisingly, a recent survey commissioned by Kia of 1,200 UK drivers saw 52% of respondents with a petrol or diesel car say they were either ‘likely’ or ‘very likely’ to select an electric or hybrid vehicle when they next get a new car.
With the deadline for the ban of petrol and diesel cars and vans now less than a decade away, this data highlights the continuing need to grow the UK’s electric vehicle (EV) charging provision.
Local authorities are an important part of the EV transition.
By investing in reliable EV charging infrastructure in key locations, they can incentivise residents and visitors to their borough to make the switch to electric driving.
Creating a Cleaner Borough With EV Charging
Here are four considerations local authorities should make when devising a strategy for EV charging.
Choosing A Charge Point Operator (CPO)
Local authorities should consider whether their personal goals for EV charging align with the ambitions of their CPO.
Mer is empowering the EV transition to help create a greener future. We are invested in the long-term growth and stability of the EV charging market.
Owned by Statkraft, Europe’s largest generator of renewable energy, sustainability is in our DNA. With Statkraft’s backing, we can provide 100% renewable, zero carbon energy sourced solely from hydro, solar and wind sources.
In addition to our sustainable ethos, we prioritise customer-centricity and ease of use, to ensure our chargers are accessible for all EV drivers.
Thinking About Location
When analysing where to install EV charging, local authorities should reflect on where their chargers will have the greatest impact for residents and visitors.
This might include residential areas where off-street parking is limited, or remote areas outside of the city or town centre.
They may wish to target council-owned car parks, areas that have heavy footfall, or destinations that lie near amenities where drivers may stay for an extended period of time.
When working with local authorities, Mer carries out in-depth site analysis to deduce where long-term charger use is most likely. We recommend infrastructure that is future-fit and allows for the expansion of the network in cases of high demand.
Selecting The Correct Charger
EV charging ranges from 7kW to 350kW. Concluding which power is appropriate for any given site is a core branch of Mer’s expertise.
We help local authorities understand which power capacity is the necessary one for the site, whilst also ensuring we recommend the right number of chargers, so not to overwhelm the grid.
Considering The Financial Aspect
With access to programmes including the Local EV Infrastructure Fund and the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS), in addition to upcoming programmes such as the Rapid Charging Fund, local authorities can benefit from financial support when growing their EV charging infrastructure.
Mer works under ‘frameworks’ including the Kent County Council via KCS Professional Services, Oxford DPS, Crown Commercial Services, and ESPO, all of which aim to make the procurement experience easier. Local authorities may also be entitled to a fully-funded partnership with Mer.
Helping Local Authorities Achieve Their Green Goals
Mer is driven by the goal of a more sustainable future. We are bringing this passion to our work with local authorities through creating scalable, future-fit EV charging solutions.
Our Best Practice Guide for the public sector details our work with councils across the UK and how Mer can help authorities scale up their green ambitions with EV charging.