Agenda item

Report from the Strategic Director of Finance and Customer Services.

Recommendations

1.    That Cabinet approve the Rotherham Council Public Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy which can be found at Appendix 1 of this report.

Consideration was given to the report which presented the Rotherham Council Public Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure Strategy for approval. The Strategy, attached to the report at Appendix 1, had been prepared to ensure a transparent approach to delivery of the Council’s public charging network and it covered commitments with regards to delivery and expansion. The Strategy also detailed how the Council intended to select future charging sites and engage with residents, businesses and commercial fleets.

The increase in demand for EV Charging had been slow within the Borough

when compared with National figures following an observed decline in use post pandemic. This was now showing signs of improvement and changes to

legislation affecting new vehicle registrations would further strengthen this demand in future.

To meet this expected future demand the below vision had been set out:

·       By 2040, the majority of Rotherham residences are within a ten-minute walk of a publicly available charge point and residents will have confidence that they can access this infrastructure as and when they need it regardless of any disability or protected characteristic they may have.

·       The Council owned charge point network will complement and enhance the private sector offer to provide access to a system of charge points across the Borough including varied types of chargers to meet demand. Charging units under Council control will be specified to meet PAS1899 accessibility standards and all new installations will provide a minimum number of fully accessible charging bays or nearby alternatives.

·       The Council network should offer its users a transparent and consistent pricing structure and offer a variety of payment types.

The Strategy proposes the following targets:

·       95% of residences to be within 3 miles of a Council owned public charge point by 2025.

·       95% of residences to be within 1.5 miles of a publicly available charge point by 2030.

·       95% of residences within a ten-minute walk (or 800 meters/ approximately 0.5 mile) of a publicly available charge point by 2040.

The actions to be taken to achieve the above targets were detailed in paragraph 2.9 of the report. The Council also committed to report its progress annually to Cabinet as part of the Climate Change Action Plan against these commitments including any regional considerations as part of a comprehensive implementation plan.

The Council intended to work alongside South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority to develop routes to create further new EV locations with the private sector. This approach aimed to reduce the impact of land availability challenges and financing from both a capital and revenue perspective.

Resolved:-

1.    That Cabinet approve the Rotherham Council Public Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy which can be found at Appendix 1 of this report.