Agenda item

Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure - Action Plan

Report of the Director of Built Environment.

 

Minutes:

The Committee received the report of the Department of the Built Environment on the Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure - Action Plan.

 

The Committee was informed that the City of London Transport Strategy plans includes a commitment to produce an Electric Vehicle Charging Action Plan, that identifies how many charge points, including charging hubs, are required up to 2022.

 

Members were assured that the Department of the Built Environment is working closely with colleagues from the procurement team to come up with a value for money package, including provision for City residents.

 

Another Member spoke of the delay with the installation of Electric Vehicle Charging Points. The Member mentioned that if the City intends to encourage people to change to more green and efficient ways, then the City should put in place the infrastructure required.

 

For the Baynard House charging hub, the Committee was informed that considerable work has been required by UKPN to install a new electricity substation, this work is due to complete at the end of March 2020. The City of London now have to undertake work to bring the ventilation system up to the required standard. This work is due to complete in August 2020

 

A third Member noted a recent report estimating that toxic air is taking away 3 years of an average person’s life. Officers assured the Committee that the City continues to work with the Mayor of London to reduce the toxic effects of air pollution.

 

Another Member asked if the City is looking at battery storage and smart grid management options as well as new charging points. The Committee was informed that the City is working with the GLA in encouraging this as an appropriate development.  The infrastructure task force with UKPN and other District Network Operators are looking at how to develop this technology and bring it on stream.

 

A Member asked if the City needs to survey residents further. [Words Omitted] Officers assured the Committee that the City would get a detailed idea of the need within each building, before procuring further infrastructure. Members of the Committee were told that the EST study gives an overall estimate, either we or a provider will assess the potential in a building before installing equipment, asking residents of the likelihood of take up in the next few years.

 

This was also followed by another Member asking if the installation of equipment increases the rateable value of a building; are there other revenue implications and what is the average time taken to charge a vehicle. Officers informed the Committee that the speed of charging is dependent partly on the vehicle and on the charging unit used.  The new rapid charge points (50kW) can deliver a full charge in 20-30 minutes.  Standard charge points typically take 2-4hrs to charge a vehicle.   The Committee was further advised that in terms of the tariffs, it  depends on the type of charge point, rapid units are usually more expensive, and also the tariff the customer is on, either as a member or 'pay as you go'.

 

Another Member asked if this was sufficiently strategically aligned, particularly with the Climate Action Strategy. Officers assured the Committee that all the work emerging from the Transport Strategy is fed into the workstream which is about to commence to measure GHG emissions.

 

A member noted that a number of other London Boroughs are exploring Green investment options and if the City can explore these options to assist in bringing forward the infrastructure. Officers agreed to look further into this.

 

RESOLVED – That the Committee noted the update

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