Electric charging pilot comes to Norfolk
Pilot project to tackle electric charging blackspots comes to Norfolk.
Norwich City Council and Norfolk County Council are among five local authorities teaming up with UK Power Network to share data and expertise on electric vehicle charging.
The aim of the 'Charge Collective' is to ensure that everyone has the confidence to switch to electric vehicles.
The local authorities involved, which also include Cambridge City and Cambridgeshire County councils, and the London Borough of Redbridge, will help UK Power Networks to identify charge point blackspots.
The network operator will then hold a competition to incentivise investors to bid the lowest cost to deliver the priority charge points.
The hope is that by taking a co-ordinated approach it will make it more financially viable for charge point operators to create a wider network of public chargers, so that communities can achieve the charging infrastructure they need.
The councils will work together to identify areas that have yet to install enough electric vehicle chargers and would benefit from improved air quality - these are likely to be in towns with denser population and less off-street parking.
It's hoped the scheme will also help develop a framework to measure the wider environmental and social benefits of better air quality and reduced emissions that come with more people driving electric vehicles.
Ian Cameron, head of customer services and innovation at UK Power Networks said: "Electricity networks have a key role in enabling the uptake of electric vehicles so that the country can meet its Net Zero commitments.
"This project is going to help us discover how we can support our communities to get more charge points into areas that need them at the lowest cost to consumers, ensuring that nobody is left behind."
In November last year the UK Government unveiled its Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution and enable the country to meet its target to reduce carbon emissions to Net Zero by 2050.
Councillor Kevin Maguire, cabinet member for safe and sustainable city environment at Norwich City Council, said: "The Charge Collective project will help our city to identify barriers to EV take-up especially in areas of high density housing.
"It's important that the electrification of transport is socially inclusive and benefits all sectors of society".
Norfolk County Council's two key portfolio leads for the Environment and Transport, Cllr Andy Grant, cabinet member for environment and waste, and Cllr Martin Wilby, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, said in a joint statement: "As we move towards a low carbon future, cleaner transport has an important role to play.
"Building on successful work by Transport for Norwich which has seen cycle use increase by 40% in recent years and the introduction of e-scooters, electric vehicles will be a key part of our strategy in the years ahead.
"This project seeks to enable and encourage providers to invest in Norfolk, which is crucial if we are to have the charging network we need to support a greener economic future."