TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE
The availability of charging infrastructure will have a profound effect on rural residents and tourists after 2040
first class infrastructure to service the increase in tourists without bringing harmto the environment. I therefore asked the council for information on its charging infrastructure and the plans it had for such an exciting future, to which it responded: “Charge points have been installed in nine locations and there are no further plans to install anymore”. Cumbria County Council declined to discuss the
plans, options and opportunities or provide any further comment.
No charge for rural electrification
will gain ground rapidly over the coming decade. This accelerated path towards electrification will
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put pressure on local authorities to ensure there is sufficient capacity in their infrastructure to support increased demand both on the national grid and charging points at which car owners can “refuel” their vehicles. Rural councils have very little time in which to
assess the capacity requirements, secure funding, enter discussions with the private sector and implement the necessary changes.
CUMBRIA TOURISTS TAKE A HIKE Cumbria County Council faces bigger challenges thanmost. Not only does it have a dispersed rural population but it also has a large tourismeconomy that is expected to boomdue to the recent accession of the Lake District to the list ofWorldHeritage sites. While the opportunity of increased income from
an influx of visitors is welcome, the council has never had such a challenge to provide the required
20 /// Environmental Engineering /// December 2017
ith the recent government announcement of its 2040 plan to ban sales of non-hybridised new vehicles with diesel of petrol fuel, themove towards alternatively fuelled vehicles
Jonathan Newell looks at infrastructure progress to support growth in the use of hybrid and electric vehicles in rural areas
ELECTRIFYING POSSIBILITIES FOR WALES Meanwhile, another rural tourismhotspot is rising to the challenge with the launch of a study into the potential for charging infrastructure in NorthWales. The Rural Development Agency, Cadwyn Clwyd, andWrexhamCounty Borough Council will work with low carbon vehicle organisation Cenex to explore the options for charge point locations and electricity network specifications across the county in an effort to promote the uptake of plug-in electric vehicles, both for rural residents and incoming tourist traffic. Commenting on the initiative, DonnaHughes of
Cadwyn Clwyd said that it is becoming increasingly necessary to provide greener infrastructure within the county tomeet the rising demand for electric vehicles. “This feasibility study is the first step in addressing the need for public use charging points, giving visitors and residents the confidence that they can travel to, and within the county,” she said.
PROVIDING INFRASTRUCTURE With two important local authorities having polarised attitudes towards electrification, I asked Robert Evans, chairman of the UK Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Association (EVSE), to clarify the responsibilities of the various stakeholders in providing infrastructure. “Part of the reason why we have had a rapid roll
out of charging infrastructure in the UK has been the diverse range of organisations who have invested in hosting charge points,” he said.He went on to say that these include local authorities as well as a range of private businesses, such as car park operators, supermarkets and hotel chains, along with businesses investing in workplace charging. “We have seen hotel chains, supermarkets and
other retail outlets installing chargers as part of their national policy.We have also seen local businesses install chargers for local customers to use,” he explained. Commenting on rural tourismcharging
requirements, he toldme: “For a region like Cumbria, where tourismis very important to the local economy, as there aremore EVmotorists, so there will be a need formore chargers. “Tourists have choices and will opt for what is
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convenient.While EV numbers have been low there hasn’t been a pressing imperative to prioritise
chargers.Moving forward, this will becomemore of an issue. Local authorities can play a facilitating role, investing themselves while encouraging businesses to invest. EE
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