Agenda item

The Portfolio Holder for Environment introduced the report which was a pre-tender business plan to commit to 25 Electric Vehicle (EV) charger locations across the district, the locations of which were not yet set.  The business plan was to look at the strategic elements of the programme and the partnership with DELETTI – the Devon Low-carbon Energy & Transport Technology Innovator.  She reminded Members that the Council had committed to be carbon-neutral by 2030 and ultra-low emission vehicles were key to delivering this.  The ability to charge electric vehicles would be a major contributing factor towards this.  The project was part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the majority of partners in the project were within Devon so the charging points would be around the economic corridor of the A303.  The electricity supplied would be from a green energy supplier and the points could be adapted in the future to charge bicycles, taxis or buses.  She thanked the Income and Opportunities Manager, the Procurement Specialist and the Environment Case Officer for bringing the project forward quickly to be part of the DELETTI programme.

The Income and Opportunities Manager advised that the opportunity to join the DELETTI programme had only occurred in April and so a great deal of work had been carried out by many teams to enable the business plan to come forward.  The 25 locations were the minimum number over 10 years and SSDC would retain ownership of the car park and grid locations.  He said it was an exciting project and to be able to use green energy met some of the objectives within the Environment Strategy.  The Council were also working with SCC and other Somerset Councils on an EV Strategy to look at the potential for on-street electric vehicle charging points across the county.

During discussion, Members made the following points:-

·         The air quality had increased during the lockdown period of Covid-19 and it was hoped that electric vehicles would make this permanent.

·         Pleased to hear the locations of the charging points were fluid.

·         Hope that charging points and on-street parking for small businesses could be included within town centres within the Somerset EV Strategy.

·         Pleased to hear that there would be variable power outputs within car parks.

The recommendations of the report were proposed and seconded and on being put to the vote were unanimously agreed by Members.

The Chairman concluded that the proposals would fit well with the Council’s Environment Strategy and she thanked all the officers involved in bringing the report forward at short notice.