Agenda item

To present an overview of the current Electric Vehicle Charging situation in Blackpool, and plans to improve provision.

Mr Scott Butterfield, Strategy and Climate Lead, presented an update on work to improve Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Provision within Blackpool. He informed the Committee that the model for improvement envisioned the private sector operating and maintaining EV chargers in Council operated car parks and elsewhere in the town. Up to £1.7m was available from the Government’s LEVI programme to develop the existing infrastructure and attract private sector investment and the model being developed would support the Council’s bid for this funding.

Work to support this had included discussions with Electricity North West to gain an understanding of the impact of increased EV charging and to allow the identification of the best sort of chargers to be installed. In line with the objectives of the LEVI programme, most chargers installed would be ”fast” chargers, which required less capacity from the electricity network, although consideration was been given to the installation of a limited number of “rapid” chargers on key sites. Other work being undertaken involved the mapping of EV Charging in Blackpool to better understand EV usage and demand, which would then influence the identification of charging locations.

Mr Butterfield referred to the Council’s proposed delivery model, which involved using off-street parking wherever possible, aiming for the maximum number of households possible to be within five minutes’ walk of a charger. This model was suggested as on-street charging represented a challenge as an increase in people parking on street could impact traffic flow and residential amenity. As these outcomes would not be desirable, delivery of on-street chargers would only be undertaken in exceptional circumstances where it could be proven that there would be no displacement of space used by residents for parking in connection with their own residence. It was also noted by the Committee that residents charging EVs in the street from power outlets in their own homes presented a challenge. This was because of the risk to members of the public caused by trailing wires and issues associated with dated domestic electricity wiring.

Mr Butterfield noted that a number of apps existed where EV owners advertised use of their home chargers for use by visitors. He added that consideration would be needed on how these could be included in plans for EV charging in Blackpool, recognising that currently the market for such apps was small.

The Committee also discussed risk management considerations associated with increased EV charging. Mr Butterfield advised that although appropriate risk assessments would be undertaken for each of the EV charging sites identified, the risk posed by EVs was considered low compared with other forms of personal electric transportation such as scooters due to the safety requirements imposed on car manufacturers. He noted that there was a lower likelihood of vehicle fires in EVs than petrol or diesel vehicles, but acknowledged these could have more serious consequences in the event that they occurred. The main mitigation against such issues was ensuring correct installation and maintenance of vehicles and charging points.

The disposal of car batteries following their use in EVs was raised, with concern regarding the potential impact to the environment being considered. Following their use in EVs the Committee was informed that most batteries would be re-used in other green technology, with technology now emerging which allowed them to be recycled, while noting that battery technology was constantly improving. Mr Alan Cavill, Director of Communications and Regeneration, added that modal shift to greener forms of transport and an increase in eco-programmes would mean changes in supporting infrastructure and greater use of renewable green technology reducing the impact of any waste generated.

Community engagement to increase awareness of EV charging and the benefits of EVs was discussed, with Mr Butterfield advising that this was an area that required greater consideration. He added that the granting of government funding would allow for more engagement to take place and that the Council had sought to appoint an Electric Vehicle Strategy Manager with LEVI funding, part of whose role would be to undertaken community engagement.

Equalities considerations were raised, with the Committee querying if consideration had been given to how charging bays would affect those with disabilities. Mr Butterfield responded that the PAS 1899 accessible standard for EV charging bays in car parks gave users similar space to regular disabled parking bays, but recognised that greater consideration could be needed in respect of ensuring paying for charging by those with visual disabilities.

It was noted that the prosed model for EV charging would be unlikely to develop additional revenue for the Council. Although the exact income from charging needed to be understood as part of the procurement of a charge point operator, it was envisioned that the private sector as operator of charging points would receive most of any revenue. However Mr Butterfield stated that in return any operator would assume any liabilities for their operation and maintenance, and that the arrangement envisaged returning some funding to the Council to provide staffing for the oversight of the contract

The Committee agreed: That the update be noted.