To approve the partnering with WSCC, along with other districts and boroughs across the county, on a scheme to develop an extensive county-wide EV charging network, by nominating sites in the borough council’s ownership to be part of this EV charging network.

WSCC will procure a supplier to deliver, on a concession basis, one consistent, affordable, easy to use, reliable, widely accessible and recognisable charging network across the county, providing renewable energy charging primarily for those residents who do not have access to off road parking and would be unable to switch to EV without public charging.

The scheme will improve and expand significantly provision of electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the borough to meet existing and future demand and encourage the shift away from petrol/diesel vehicles.

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet

a)         approves, in principle that the Council takes part in the EV Charging Infrastructure Network scheme, led by WSCC who will procure an EV infrastructure provider, through a concession contract to deliver an extensive EV charging network across the Borough.

b)         delegates authority to the Head of Economy and Planning, to undertake further discussions with WSCC, including consideration of any necessary associated documentation to progress the delivery of these services to benefit the borough.*

c)         delegates authority to the Head of Economy and Planning, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Sustainability, the approval of the Council entering into the scheme depending on the results of the tender process*

*(Generic Delegation 7 will be used to enact this recommendation).

Reasons for the Recommendations

Tangible Action in response to the Climate Change Emergency Declaration

Transport contributes over a third of the carbon emission across Crawley Borough (250 ktCO2 pA) and is the one sector that is on an upward trend, and therefore in order to meet the obligations of our Climate Emergency declaration, the Council should work as quickly as possible to enable residents to switch to low emissions vehicles.

Lack of EV Charging Infrastructure is holding back EV take up

One of the main barriers to increased take-up of low emissions vehicles is the lack of charging infrastructure. We know that residents would prefer to charge their car at or near their homes. We also know that 30% of households do not have access to off road parking and will find it hard to make the switch to EV. Providing chargers for these people is vital, and the scheme proposed by WSCC will address this.

No Maintenance Liability or Cost to CBC

WSCC will be procuring a concession contract to install a network of EV charge

points across the county. With the option to extend, the 7 year concession contract will be delivered entirely by the preferred supplier, who will be responsible for joint planning, funding, building, marketing and operating a publicly accessible charge point network across West Sussex, as well as providing an on-going 24/7 service (including the management of payments and support), with full responsibility for maintenance and repair to ensure the network is fully operational at all times.

The “Fast Track” roll out of EV Charging Infrastructure

The scheme will use a portfolio based approach using commercially attractive sites to support less viable sites. Fast and rapid charge points will be installed on-street, in public sector car parks, and on community assets county wide, providing charging primarily for those residents and businesses who do not have access to off road parking. The provider will be contractually obliged to fast track infrastructure roll out.

Crawley will benefit from EV Infrastructure going elsewhere in West Sussex

Horsham, Adur & Worthing, Arun and Mid Sussex District Councils are all planning to be involved in the scheme. The contract will be made available to other defined Contracting Bodies to join, such as district, boroughs, parish councils and incorporate parish halls, community centres etc. over the lifetime of the contract.

Improvements to Air Quality in Crawley

Recent analyses pre-COVID 19 crisis have indicated that the air quality situation in parts of the Borough was getting significantly worse, particularly as regards NOx and particulate pollution. The rapid uplift in available EV charging infrastructure will incentivise conversion to electric vehicles to help enhance air quality.