Closing the gaps in local charging infrastructure

Demand for electric vehicles is continuing to surge. A total of 223,926 new plug-in hybrid and electric cars and vans were registered in the UK during the first six months of the year, according to the Society for Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). That’s almost as many as the total on our roads at the end of 2019, and businesses are ahead of the curve.

According to the BVRLA (British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association), 71% of new Business Contract Hire car deliveries were electric or plug-in hybrid during Q4 2022, and the commercial vehicle market is also beginning to gather pace. It’s a transition that relies on reliable, accessible and widespread charging infrastructure, and the association’s new Fleet-Friendly Charging Pledge is designed to support those networks.

Proudly supported by ALD | LeasePlan, it’s a commitment for local authorities to engage with fleet operators and deploy the right charging infrastructure to support their diverse needs. Here’s how it works.

Collaboration is essential for developing a robust charging network, and councils have important role in that process. However, the BVRLA says authorities are often under-resourced, under-funded and dealing with competitive transport priorities. Freedom of information requests during Q4 2022 found two thirds (63%) hadn’t published a local charging strategy at all.

Businesses, who account for most new plug-in vehicle registrations in the UK, are a useful resource, helping to highlight current and future gaps in the network and ensure that funding is utilised effectively. Unfortunately, those interactions are rare. According to the BVRLA, only 3% of councils had engaged with fleets or considered their needs by the end of last year.

The Pledge is designed to encourage closer collaboration between fleets and local authorities. Councils who sign up will commit to:

• Engaging with fleets to understand what their vehicles and drivers need, including having a single point of contact for operators, and sharing best practice.
• Considering fleet requirements as part of the tendering process, making use of funding from Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) and innovative solutions such as pavement gulleys for cables.
• Providing clear information and guidance to help drivers locate different types of chargepoints and how long they can stay.

This is complemented by a range of free resources online, including:

• The Fleet-Friendly Charging Index, which maps authorities’ progress deploying charging infrastructure, and how carefully they are considering fleet needs.
• The Fleet Charging Guide, which highlights different fleet use cases offers local authorities tips and guidance for developing a charging strategy.

The BVRLA is also directly facilitating conversations between fleet operators and councils to help get plans moving. Stakeholders are invited to contact policy@bvrla.co.uk for more information.