The BVRLA is running a new campaign to support more local authorities in developing electric vehicle charging infrastructure strategies.

The BVRLA is encouraging local authorities to sign its ‘Fleet Friendly EV Charging Pledge’ to demonstrate their long-term commitment

The trade association has developed a pool of resources and guidance to support local authorities and is also encouraging them to sign its ‘Fleet Friendly EV Charging Pledge’ to demonstrate their long-term commitment to cleaner transport.

In its long-awaited Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy published last year, the Government pledged to increase the UK’s charging network 10-fold to 300,000 public charge points by 2030, but made it clear it expects local authorities to support and deliver EV charge points.

However, latest research by charge point operator (CPO) Believ has found that more than nine out of 10 (91%) local authorities do not yet have an EV charging infrastructure strategy in place – with time and money proving the main obstacles.

To support local authorities, the DfT launched its Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) pilot in 2022, which has now been expanded and joined by the LEVI Capability Fund to help LAs scale up charging plans, building on the existing On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS).

Earlier this year, the BVRLA warned that local authorities were missing opportunities to shape fleet-friendly EV charging networks by not consulting with local businesses.

With company-provided vehicles accounting for the majority of EVs on UK roads, the BVRLA’s pool of resources has been designed to ensure that the differing needs of fleets are met alongside those of other road users.

To ensure development of a vehicle charging network that works for everyone, the BVRLA is urging industry professionals to make contact with their local authority representatives. They can check the current progress of their local authority via the BVRLA’s Fleet Friendly Charging Index.

Launched as part of a recent drinks reception following the Local Government Association (LGA) conference, the Fleet Friendly Charging Pledge is open for any local authority to sign. In doing so, they underpin their intention to:

• Consider fleet operators and drivers in charging infrastructure plans and strategies
• Engage with the fleet sector to understand their EV charging requirements
• Provide fleet focused EV charging information and guidance

The reception saw representatives of local authorities from across the UK hear from industry experts as they spoke about how to utilise the LEVI fund and how to develop effective strategies at a local level.

The BVRLA hosted a panel discussion including the Energy Saving Trust, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Connected Kerb, and ALD | LeasePlan. Panellists outlined how the requirements of road users differ when it comes to EV charging, highlighting how and where the industry is well placed to support LAs in addressing those needs.

Toby Poston, BVRLA director of corporate affairs, said: “The race to decarbonise our road transport will be won or lost at a local level. Authorities are being asked to spearhead new public charging infrastructure strategies, but most of them are under-resourced, under-funded and dealing with a host of competing transport priorities.

“The Government’s LEVI funding is hugely important, but policymakers also need support in understanding the needs of different fleet users, whether it is those based locally or those travelling through. Fleets are setting the pace when it comes to decarbonisation and will likely be the biggest early users of any new public infrastructure.

“We are encouraging our local authority colleagues to consider fleet charging requirements, engage with operators at a local level and then support them where possible.”

All BVRLA resources are available for industry professionals to access online, arming them with the information to begin discussions with their local authority.

The BVRLA team is also on hand to facilitate discussions between local authorities and industry representatives, via [email protected].