Agenda item

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced last week that a ban on fossil fuel cars would be brought forward to 2035, five years earlier than initially expected.

How are PCC intending on delivering the ability of its occupants and its tourists to have frequent and reliable charging points so as to invest in new Electric Vehicles in time for 2035?

There are only 1.8 public charging points per 100000 in Wales.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced last week that a ban on fossil fuel cars would be brought forward to 2035, five years earlier than initially expected. 

How are PCC intending on delivering the ability of its occupants and its tourists to have frequent and reliable charging points so as to invest in new Electric Vehicles in time for 2035?  

There are only 1.8 public charging points per 100000 in Wales. 

Response

A number of fast electric vehicle charging points will be installed in several council owned long stay car parks across the county following a successful bid for funding from the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) and Powys CC funding.

The funding was awarded under a criteria which would enable charging points to be installed in areas, which could benefit residents who do not have a drive or garage, and park their electric vehicle on their street.  Chargers will also be open to the public or visitor use.

The funding given will allow Powys to install charging points in 8 of our car parks.  It signals the start of our Phase I programme which will see us begin to build up a network of charging points across the county and we'll be looking to lever in more funding to increase our provision going forward.

The charging points will ensure that both local residents and tourists with electric vehicles can access charging points at various locations throughout the county.

The nine car parks chosen for the Phase I installation are:

·         High Street Car Park, Llandrindod Wells, LD1 6BG

·         The Groe Car Park, Builth Wells, LD2 3BL

·         Mount Street Car Park, Llanidloes, SY18 6BZ

·         Maengwyn Street Car Park, Machynlleth, SY20 8DY

·         Back Lane Car Park, Newtown, SY16 2NH

·         Church Street Car Park, Welshpool, SY21 7DD

·         Hereford Street Car Park, Presteigne, LD8 2AT

·         The Watton Car Park, Brecon, LD3 7ED

This is part of a longer term aspiration to create a network of EV charging points across the county, provided by a range of parties such as County Council, Welsh Government (rapid chargers) and Private sector.

We are currently seeking grant funding from Welsh Government for completion of phase 1 to install charging points in the following locations

Rhayader – Dark Lane Car Park

Knighton – Bowling Green Lane Car Park

Ystradgynlais – Heol Eglwys Car Park

Hay-on-Wye – Oxford Street Car Park

Further phases are yet to be developed and are subject to wider National plans and funding

The supplementary question was

My question was in response to the new UK policy and time line. The committed 8 charging points throughout Powys were based on an old time line.  Originally the Government  set targets to ensure that almost every car and van in the UK is a zero emission vehicle by 2050, and to make the UK a world leader in EV and battery technologies. Whereas now it’s 2035.

This is an ambitious target and the requirement for a big increase in charging points availability will be essential. How do Powys intend deliver for the new targets?

The Portfolio Holder was absent so a written response would be provided.