Agenda item

Will Umney, Principal             Planner, Spatial Planning and Transport and Peter Hazzard, Parking Projects Manager, Traffic and Parking Services gave a presentation on Islington Council’s promotion of electric vehicles. In the presentation and discussion the following points were made:

·         The Office for Low Emission Vehicles had awarded London £13million for the Go Ultra Low City Scheme to drive up the uptake of ultra low emissions vehicles.

·         A Londonwide delivery partnership would be established to provide, manage and maintain charging infrastructure in residential areas.

·         Car club bays would be retrofitted with electric vehicle (EV) charging points via the partnership responsible for residential charging infrastructure.

·         The funding would support the increase of rapid EV chargers and Neighbourhoods of the Future. These were local schemes to prioritise and encourage the uptake of ULEVs.

·         There would be £20m available from the Mayors Air Quality Fund for London between 2013 and 2023.

·         Various zero emission projects were taking place to promote electric vehicles including free trials and encouraging electric delivery vehicles.

·         Current on street charging infrastructure in Islington consisted of Hall Street (a single 7KW space), Highbury Crescent (a double 7KW space), Tufnell Park Road (a single 7KW space), Hemingford Road (a single 3KW space), Farringdon Lane (a single 3KW space) and Tolpuddle Street (a double 7KW space).

·         7KW was the maximum level that could be reached using cables from the road. A 7KW charger could charge a car in 6-8 hours and a 3KW charger would charge a car fully overnight.

·         There was an app users could use to see whether each charging point was working and available for use.

·         Users could sign in via a card. To obtain one if they had a hybrid car currently cost £20 a year but was free if they had a vehicle that was fully electric. Members suggested that this figure could be increased.

·         Proposed infrastructure expansion would effectively double the amount of on street charging points in Islington.

·         Hall Street would have a single 7KW space operational in September 2016.

·         Subject to consultation there would be a rapid charger (22KW) on Sheringham Road. The rapid charger could charge a Tesla fully in 25 minutes and a new spur would be run from the nearby school which meant 22KW was achievable. This would be funded by DEFRA. As a build out would be necessary, a member suggested that this could also be used for cycle parking.

·         Additional spaces on St Luke’s Close, Banner Street and Cahill Street were likely to be operational this financial year as consultation had been completed and a Lever Street charging point was being discussed with the Executive member.

·         Using Hall Street as an example to illustrate costs – the Feeder Pillar cost £6,000-£7,000 to supply and install, a 7KW Charging Pillar cost £8500 to supply and install, changes had to be made to the street e.g. signs and lines and additional costs such as consultation cost £3000-£5000.

·         The on street charging infrastructure contract was advertised on the portal in October 2016 and 7 bids had been returned. It was likely the contract would be signed in March 2017. The contract was for multiple suppliers. It would be a concession contract at zero cost to the council. The network would be expanded with a combination of charging infrastructure such as lamp column charging and traditional rapid and slower chargers.

·         The main reason for breakdowns was because the charging points had a lot of use. Another reason was faulty car batteries tripping the residual current device (RCD). There was usually a 72 hour turnaround on repairs. Most of the charging points had been updated recently.

·         There were four off street charging points at the Business Design Centre. Users did not need to be a member of the Islington scheme to use these points but the Business Design Centre did charge for their usage.

·         Concern was raised that there was a large amount of money being invested into a small number of charging points for private vehicles rather than council or business vehicles. The officers explained that it was not possible for the whole fleet to be electric e.g. some required a lot of power to lift bins etc. However the council’s electric vehicle fleet was growing slowly.

·         Concern was raised that this might not be the most effective use of money and instead should be spent on encouraging people to walk and cycle instead of using a car. The officers explained that certain funding had to be spent in certain ways and the infrastructure concession contract would not cost the council.

·         In response to concern about street clutter and whether the Royal National Institute of Blind People had been consulted, officers advised that whilst consultation with the RNIB had not taken place, street clutter was a consideration and charging points were carefully placed.

·         Concern was raised about people trailing the cables from charging points across pavements to their vehicles. The council advised them this was dangerous and created a trip hazard. The committee requested information on whether anyone had been fined for doing this and for details of the fining process.

·         Officers were asked how Islington compared to neighbouring boroughs in terms of its electric vehicle charging provision. Officers advised that in 2013 the council decided not to put any more charging points. Only recently had the decision been taken to increase provision. Islington had a similar amount of provision to Haringey and Camden. By the end of this year, Islington would be level with councils with a higher level of provision.

1)  That the presentation be noted.

2)    That members be provided with information on whether anyone had been fined for trailing cables across pavements and for details of the fining process.

3)    That officers be invited to attend a meeting of the committee in a year’s time to provide an update.