News analysis
A local approach
The BVRLA has published a guide to fleet EV charging for local authorities. Sean Keywood reports.
A
new guide to the charging needs of EV fleets, aimed at local authorities, has been launched by the British Vehicle Rental
and Leasing Association (BVRLA). The industry body said its new Fleet Charging Guide provided detailed case studies, advice and tangible solutions to be applied at a local level across the UK, with local authorities increasingly being given responsibility for the roll-out of public charging infrastructure.
The guide, said to have been compiled following extensive research with a variety of fleet operators, features 12 distinct recommendations that are designed to give local authorities the background knowledge they need to develop informed strategies.
The guide’s recommendations are broken down into four topics. On matching types of provision to emerging gaps in infrastructure, it recommends that the UK government should conduct a regular review on whether private charge point operators (CPOs) are filling gaps in public charging provision; local authorities and
distribution network operators (DNOs) should work with the private sector to explore ways of mutualising the cost of grid connections; and the government should provide national guidance for local authorities and CPOs on how different vehicle “dwell times” impact charger requirements.
available for chargers that are secure and accessible for a variety of vehicle types. In addition, the government should provide local authorities with guidance on specific requirements for charge point users with disabilities, and government funding should incentivise chargers that support contactless or fuel card payments.
“2022 is set to be a pivotal year for our industry.”
Regarding building trust in the reliability of infrastructure, the guide recommends local authorities should encourage the installation of more than one or two chargers in busy locations where reliability or redundancy is a key factor, set enforceable service level agreements with CPOs, and require CPOs provide dynamic data on charger status and performance. On the subject of ensuring consistent ease of access, the guide first recommends that government funding should only be
On the final topic, creating a future framework for decisions based on user need, the guide recommends local authorities should have an obligation to engage with fleets on future as well as present charger provision and work with DNOs, CPOs, fleets, regional transport boards and other stakeholders to promote regular engagement and sharing of data. Authorities must also endeavour to establish a “whole organisation” (including planning,
sustainable transport, economic development, and parking) view of charging requirements across their region. BVRLA chief executive Gerry Keaney said: “There is a way to go before the UK’s charging network is fit for purpose, not only for the volume of vehicles that will rely on it, but the varying use cases too. Infrastructure has fallen behind and we need a seismic shift in the delivery of charging solutions.
“Up to now, infrastructure decisions have been developed with individual drivers and private use cases in mind. This needs to change so we are providing local authorities with the tools they need to succeed,” he continued.
“By having fleets involved in the planning, roll-out and maintenance of charging networks, local authorities can ensure they are catering to the broadest number of road users with solutions that will stand the test of time.”
The BVRLA said that following the launch of the guide, it will be working closely with government at a local and national level to use its recommendations
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theAA.com/business 8 | March 2022 |
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