Electric vehicle charging – Herefordshire Council

Electric vehicle strategy

In May 2024, we adopted our electric vehicle (EV) strategy for Herefordshire. This strategy seeks to address current barriers while supporting the widespread transition to electric vehicles.

The percentage of EV ownership is increasing, and will continue to increase, but the lack of charging infrastructure is one of the barriers causing some groups of drivers to delay making the switch.

As of October 2023, there were 83 public charge points available in Herefordshire. However, it is predicted that 1,416 chargers will be required by 2030 – a significant increase on current provision within the county. The EV strategy sets out how the council will help address this issue.

Electric vehicle roadmap

Graphic showing the electric vehicle roadmap, what has taken place already and future opportunities

View a larger version of the electric vehicle roadmap

Electric vehicle roadmap description

2013 - First electric vehicle (EV) charge points installed in council car parks
2016 - bpChargemaster take over car park charge points and replace with new chargers
2019 - Fleet review results in 12 electric/hybrid pool cars for council staff use
2021 - First rapid charge points (50kW) installed in council car parks
2022 - New contract with Wenea for the expansion of charge points in council car parks
2023 - Worked with a consortium of local authorities and Midlands Connect to win a bid for Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) pilot funding for on-street charge points
2024 - Council enters into a contract for the provision of the first on-street charge points in the county under the LEVI pilot scheme. Council adopts EV strategy

Ongoing actions

Working with a consortium of local authorities and Midlands Connect to deliver more on-street charge points
Working with businesses to support the switch to EV
Updating the public on EV developments via the council's web pages and EV Drivers group
Consulting with residents and other stakeholders on the location of on-street charge points

Future opportunities

Increase provision and use of council electric pool cars and vans
Identify opportunities to switch the delivery of council services to EV
Work with stakeholders to support their switch to EV/access funding
Run public engagement events to support the switch to EV
Identify further opportunities to support residents and businesses switch to EV

How we developed the strategy

The EV strategy was developed through a cross-directorate working group with support from the Energy Saving Trust and identifies the key roles for the council to support the switch to low emission vehicles in the county.

Key roles

To provide publicly available charge points while the market is still getting established
To deal with issues of equity in relation to access to charge point infrastructure
To increase and support council use of electric vehicles
To influence the public and businesses through planning policy and licensing
To work with and support stakeholders
To promote and publicise the use of electric vehicles

Action plan

The EV strategy is accompanied by an action plan, which identifies and monitors actions and opportunities to support the council in these key roles.

In recognition of the fast moving nature of the industry, there will be regular revisions and updates of this strategy and the associated actions that will take into consideration any updates to relevant local and national strategies and policies. All subsequent updates will be published.