Have your say on Electric Vehicle plans

Plymouth City Council are asking residents and businesses to have their say on draft plans for providing electric vehicle (EV) charging points in the city.

With EV ownership expected to grow rapidly over the next decade, the council’s draft Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy sets out plans to invest in a citywide network of EV charging points that are affordable, reliable and accessible.

The strategy looks at the forecast increase in EV charging demand, as purchase costs fall, average driving ranges continue to increase and manufacturers respond to the Government’s Zero Emission Mandate, which requires all new vehicles to be zero-emission by 2035.

It also looks at examples of good practice, emerging technology and funding opportunities, with the main aims of:

• Delivering a high-quality network of public EV chargepoints across the city.
• Promoting the benefits of electric vehicles to residents and businesses and debunking common misconceptions.
• Working with the industry to standardise chargers so they can be used by all vehicles.
• Work with providers to ensure a range of payment options, such as pay-as-you-go and pre-paid bundles.
• Supporting the electrification of public transport, private hire/taxi and car club vehicles, as well as our own fleet.

The number of EV chargepoints across the city is set to increase from around 250 to over 500 during 2024 and, as part of the strategy, Plymouth City Council plan to provide up to 1,800 EV chargepoints on public land by 2034.

Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport said: “The transition from petrol and diesel-powered vehicles to electric vehicles will reduce traffic-related air pollution and play a vital part in the city’s journey towards achieving its net zero goals.

“We are determined to ensure that the availability of chargepoints is not a barrier to EV uptake and that public chargepoints are accessible, reliable and affordable. A key priority will be to explore all funding opportunities to ensure that households without access to off-street parking are not disadvantaged.”

To view the strategy and share your views visit the website. The consultation will run until Wednesday 31 January and the final strategy is expected to be published in March.

The consultation portal also includes an interactive map, where you can propose EV chargepoints at specific locations near your home or workplace.