Issue - meetings

(Portfolio Holder for Environmental Sustainability, Recycling and Waste)

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Environmental Sustainability, Waste and Recycling detailing the work undertaken in developing the Tamworth Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy, and requests approval from Cabinet for the adoption and formal publication of the Strategy.

Report of the Chair of the Infrastructure, Safety and Growth Scrutiny Committee To notify Cabinet of the report and recommendations from the Tamworth Electric Vehicle Strategy item that was discussed at the meeting of the Infrastructure, Safety and Growth Scrutiny Committee on the 11^th July 2024.

(Report or the Portfolio Holder for Environmental Sustainability, Waste and Recycling)

The Chair introduced the report of the Portfolio Holder for Environmental Sustainability, Waste and Recycling detailing the work undertaken in developing the Tamworth Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy, and requested approval from Cabinet for the adoption and formal publication of the Strategy

The Chair confirmed that apologies had been received from the Portfolio Holder and handed over to the Head of Economic Regeneration , Thomas Hobbs to Introduce the report.

The Officer highlighted the following –

Ø  In 2023 Tamworth Borough Council adopted the Staffordshire County Council Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy.

Ø  It was requested that the Council commission a borough strategy and the Council appointed Amey who had produced the county strategy to work on this.

Ø  The strategy looks at how the Council can support residents with their use of electric vehicles.

Ø  The strategy reviews the current situation, it looks at possible future demand within Tamworth and builds on the county work of looking at the need in parts of the community where people can’t easily access their own charging facilities, i.e where no off-street parking.

Ø  It sets out some key principles for the borough and give some specific recommendations.

Ø  It recognises that this is a fast-changing environment and the risks of moving forward in a way that may not be the best decision in the long term

The Committee made the following comments/observations and asked the following questions:

1.     What type of chargers are we considering?

The officer confirmed that the report does not recommend any particular type but suggests where different type of charging may be suitable for different areas. For residents who can charge overnight a slow trickle charge may be sufficient as it is lower cost, however on commercial locations where people may want to charge for half an hour whilst doing their shopping a faster charger may be required.

2.     Is there a set amount of chargers we need to have?

The officer confirmed that there is no requirement to have a certain amount, but the report sets out current demand, which is currently not high compared with the rest of Staffordshire.

3.     With fast paced changes to technology and other fuels sources such as hydrogen would it be prudent, whilst continuing with the implementation, to review this is two of years?

The officer confirmed that things may change significantly over the next few years and there are plans to increase numbers in a couple of years so this would be a good time to review.

4.     What is the difference between chargers and how do we ensure that the ratio of types of charges meets the needs of the area?

The officer confirmed that the difference between charges is the time it takes to charge. There are slow, fast, rapid and ultra rapid which can charge a vehicle in a matter of minutes, depending on the size of the car and battery, and with that comes a difference in cost, therefore ultra rapid charges which are more expensive to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17