Agenda item

HPeacock began by introducing herself as the Head of Transformation, advising that her role includes oversight of project management across the organisation, including the delivery of the Climate and Ecological Emergency Programme. HPeacock confirmed that she would be presenting the draft of the Electrical Vehicle Strategy, noting that the report requests that the Committee notes the comment of the draft strategy.

Cllr Beauchamp commented that one option was to use lampposts as electrical charging points and asked who would pay for this to be set up given that street lights are low powered. Cllr Beauchamp also asked if there should be some data on centralised charging zones. Cllr Beauchamp stated that charging zones would likely become areas of contention between residents. MParr confirmed that lampposts are not listed as the way forward as the majority of lampposts in the area are owned by HCC, and therefore DBC are moving forward with their own strategy. On charging on petrol forecourts, MParr confirmed that the first rapid EV forecourt opened in November last year and the Committee were referred to the charging hierarchy in the report, noting that the focus is encouraging first driveways followed by on-street, destination regular and then occasional. MParr stated that the industry still needs to provide forecourt areas, though this would need to be on the understanding that these areas be on motorways or A roads and are charged more. Regarding areas of contention, MParr acknowledged that this will be a challenge and will be addressed when they look at more on-street charging. MParr noted that they expect to have 30,000 EVs in Dacorum by 2030 and they are therefore looking at charging points in council-owned car parks and are awaiting HCC to put forward their EV strategy, and it is hoped that focusing on areas where there is additional need will help relieve any pressure.

Cllr Stevens thanked officers for the report, noting that there are concerns regarding the lack of an implementation plan. HPeacock agreed, stating that they are in the process of developing an implementation plan as part of the Climate and Ecological Emergency Programme. HPeacock confirmed there are a number of sub-groups of officers who will lead on the implementation of the programme and that it is recognised within the strategy what they can directly influence, such as an EV charging point project. On the EVCP project, HPeacock acknowledged the false start and confirmed that they are working with suppliers, adding that they were limited on what information they could provide to the Committee due to commercial sensitivity. HPeacock confirmed that they hope to provide timescales to members as soon as possible, though they are broadly working towards the timescales provided in the document.

Cllr Stevens noted that they have identified operators in the past and asked if they are still talking to them. MParr confirmed that they could not comment on this. MParr advised that they were previously let down by a supplier and that they are happy with the 2 new suppliers they are working with, who they will formally announce soon. MParr acknowledged that the level of charging infrastructure in the borough is poor, though they will move from the bottom 20% of the national league table to the top 20% by the end of the financial year.

Cllr Rogers commended the report. Cllr Rogers asked where the power will come from given that they are potentially facing power outages. MParr confirmed that they are looking at creating more renewable energy within the borough and they are only working with suppliers who use 100% renewable energy. MParr added that the uptake used in the strategy is based on the Department of Transport's official modelling and that they hope more renewable energy will be brought in to address the national need.

Cllr Rogers queried if they should be considering running fuel stations for electricity and how much rapid charging points would cost. Cllr Rogers stated that if private investors are providing these then they may not be incentivised enough to invest the amount required to convert local petrol stations into EV charging points. MParr advised that triple charging can take the pressure off the National Grid, adding that slower charging is better for both the car and environmental resources. MParr stated that if there is land that is council owned where they can have a commercial contract with suppliers then this can happen, and the project they are working on to increase charging points in Dacorum is currently happening at low to no cost given the amount that suppliers will be putting in themselves. The only way for there to be a cost would be for certain car parks where it's deemed that they should have charge points in but are not identified as commercially viable.

Cllr Rogers asked if they would have Shell running charge points. MParr confirmed that they have invested in Ubitricity. A comment was raised that this is a different form of public sector development.

Cllr Taylor commented that he has a plug-in hybrid car that he has used for 6 years, which he mostly charges at home, and is also a member of HCC Highways and Transport Cabinet Panel. Cllr Taylor stated that the same conversation is happening at the Panel and that they don't want to put chargers on the roadside, though they are starting to rethink this position. Cllr Taylor remarked that he was hoping for more from the strategy, stating that they need to put in a strategy to put charging in wherever people have cars and ensure that every car park has 1-2 charging points. Cllr Taylor stated that he would like the strategy to set out how they reach this point and he noted the barrier to taking up an EV caused by a lack of charging points. Cllr Taylor suggested that every polling district should be guaranteed at least 1 double-charger within 12 months, adding that this will encourage private companies to come in.

Cllr Taylor continued, stating that the strategy needs to set out the medium-term, and he noted that there was no mention of vehicle to grid technology. Cllr Taylor recommended that this be focused on, adding that those against renewable energy generation fail to mention how far battery technology has advanced and they could bridge the evening peak by having batteries charged when there is spare capacity. Cllr Taylor asked that on-street charging be explored to allow vehicle to grid technology and that the car owner is paid to charge their car when there is spare capacity. Cllr Taylor added that if they require vehicle to grid charging on all streets with parking, it would need to be recognised that decent cabling or trunking should be put in when roadworks are being carried out. Cllr Taylor requested that destination parking be considered for all parts of the borough, including all hotels and guesthouses, as this would help make EVs viable.

MParr commented that they want room to be reactive to funding opportunities and technology, and they therefore have different internal documents used for tracking and workload with forward-facing documents to show the overall picture. MParr stated that the aim of the strategy is to show the national policies and is not intended to show exact actions, adding that details on projects can be shared, such as the plan for car parks. On vehicle to grid, MParr advised that the quick advancing of this technology makes this challenging to balance as they need to avoid flooding the borough with technology that has become outdated by the time people start using them. Vehicle to grid technology is not yet mainstream technology and they hope to refresh the strategy with what they can do in light of new technology and funding. On road works, MParr confirmed there is a project within the borough that she would like to look at putting charge points when this is happening. On destination charging, MParr agreed with Cllr Taylor's comments, adding that they are working on both direct and indirect actions. Whilst they have direct control of car parks, they don't have direct control over what hotel owners choose to do. Their indirect action is to communicate and MParr stated that there is a constant engagement strategy to work with businesses to help meet the needs of 40% of the borough that doesn't have on-street charging. MParr advised that around 700 publicly available charge points are required within the borough to meet the need, which Dacorum can't provide in full and therefore they need to engage with others. MParr added that they also hope to see workplace car parks making charging points available to the public outside of work hours.

Cllr Taylor stated that he wanted to see the short, medium and long-term included in the strategy, and that he would like to see descriptions of what is on the horizon. For the medium term, this should be to encourage the private sector, and Cllr Taylor noted his concerns for the short term and that they would not hit the target by 2030. Cllr Taylor added that they need to see plans for the short-term and how they will get charging points. MParr advised that the strategy is to be a public-facing document and that plans for costing could be provided separately.

Cllr Harden stated that the focus needs to be on what’s within DBC’s remit.

Cllr Wyatt-Lowe commented on the challenge of rapidly changing technology and asked how much they invest in providing what is required in the short-term. Cllr Wyatt-Lowe also noted the development of solar power cars and asked how quickly they can implement new technology. Cllr Wyatt-Lowe also urged the team to not pursue on-street charging. MParr commented that car clubs could be a more affordable option and could help address the on-street parking issue. Where they are looking to install hubs, MParr stated that they hope the next steps would be to have car clubs at these hubs in the longer-term.

Cllr Stevens commented on hubs, stating that the typical car charge will take around 40 minutes, meaning that the location of the hub needs to cater for someone parking for this length of time or more. MParr advised that a hub established in 2020 was installed by a main junction and has a gym, café and shop. For Dacorum, it would depend on the land available. HPeacock added that it would therefore be most sensible to put charging in the most utilised car parks, which are more likely to be closer to locations that people are travelling to so can leave their car in the car park to charge. HPeacock noted that this could therefore encourage commercial opportunities as well as help increase footfall.

Cllr Stevens asked if they are talking to suppliers about the location of the hub. It was noted that junction 8 has been considered given the volume of traffic coming in, though it was also acknowledged that the centre of town would also be appropriate. It was stated that the issue with junction 8 is a lack of suitable or available land and will therefore come down to planning and investment. Cllr Harden asked if there was a partnership option between the council and landowner. MParr confirmed that they would have to work with landowners and this has been looked at, though they have moved away from that to instead focus on what they can work with, such as council car parks. MParr added that suppliers are keen to look at more of the hubs, adding that the majority of use would be for emergency charging where a full 40-minute charge may not be required.

Cllr Beauchamp referred to Cllr Steven's comments regarding charging in hotel car parks, stating that they now insist that 50% of all new properties provide EV charging points within their parking, which also applies to businesses that offer staff parking. Cllr Beauchamp stated that he would believe this would also apply to hotels and therefore there is this provision in place. Cllr Beauchamp noted the Water Gardens North car park, advising that members of staff or councillors with a permit can use the EV charging point on the top deck, and he asked if this space could be neutralised so it could be used more widely. MParr advised that they are looking to remove these types of charging point as they do not function correctly. These points were inherited from HCC and the project will address this issue. Cllr Beauchamp asked if the spaces will be replaced with something available for all. MParr confirmed that Water Gardens is a valuable car park and therefore want to install a number of charging points, adding that they will be putting up signage regarding new charging points and they hope that installation work will be completed quickly.

Cllr Beauchamp commented on Jarman Park and that Tesco have started putting in EV charging points, adding that this would be an ideal location for a hub given its proximity to the M1. It was noted that the space has now been sold to a private developer and is now under the planning application for Lidl.

Cllr Beauchamp asked if the recycling of car batteries has been considered. Cllr Harden queried if this was under the remit of DBC. Cllr Beauchamp advised that you can currently take your car battery to HCC recycling centre. MParr advised that Dacorum is not a waste processor.

Cllr Foster commented on the document and asked that specific suggestions on how the strategy will be achieved be included. Cllr Foster asked where the information regarding 30,000 cars by 2030 comes from. MParr confirmed that external consultants were appointed last year to assist with the strategy and that they used the Department for Transport's uptake curve based on the population size of Dacorum. Cllr Foster queried if it took into account the development of the local plan. HPeacock confirmed they would check this.

Cllr Foster noted that 100 charging points are due to be installed over the next year and asked what the breakdown of this would be. MParr commented on the current car park project, stating that around 80% will be fast charge and 20% will be rapid charging. Quotes have come in from the sites and these will then be sent off for funding application. MParr advised that it will also depend on the lease and that with their supplier it can either be a 15-year or 25-year lease and that this is currently being looked at by the legal team. MParr confirmed that Berkhamsted is included within the car park project.

Cllr Foster commented on street and home charging and asked if they envisaged people using car parks to charge their cars overnight. MParr confirmed that as part of the On-Street and Residential Charge Point Scheme, part of the criteria is that car parks have to be available for free to charge overnight, so residents will be able to do this. MParr noted that this places emphasis on workplace charging and encouraging organisations to allow people to use them. MParr referred to Zap Work and Zap Home, which shows publicly available charge points, and organisations are encouraged to install charge points and also allow them to be used by residents. Cllr Foster stated that they had approached businesses regarding using their car parks at the weekend and that there were issues regarding insurance.

Cllr Foster asked if they are working with supermarkets and other businesses regarding destination charging. MParr confirmed that she has reached out to some supermarkets to ask when they would be putting in charge points but she had received little response. On car clubs, MParr confirmed that there are 2-3 local authorities in Hertfordshire that have already signed an agreement with a car club and that she will look into this once the car park project is complete.

Cllr Wilkie thanked HPeacock and MParr for the report. Cllr Wilkie referred to point 5 in the document that states that the EV strategy does not have any financial implications in itself and noted that, despite it being a front-facing document, there are residents who are experts.

Cllr Harden noted the report and agreed for it to be passed to Cabinet.

ACTION: HPeacock and MParr to check if prediction of 30,000 cars by 2030 includes development of local plan.