TfN’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure framework identifies need to act now

Analysis by Transport for the North (TfN) has identified the need to install up to 470 electric vehicle charge points per week across the north by 2025, rising to up to 620 installations per week between 2025 and 2030. If left unresolved, warns TfN, the charging infrastructure disparity could undermine both decarbonisation ambitions and the successful take-up and use of EVs.

Revealed within TfN’s new regional Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (EVCI) Framework, TfN says the conclusions derive from a data driven approach. This, it says, utilises its “powerful analytical engine to capture road user, socio-economic, land-use and housing data in one place for the first time, to provide a comprehensive and consistent view of electric vehicle (EV) charging needs across the region.”

There are currently around 8,000 public charge points across the North, 5% of the 161,000 charging connections needed across the region by 2030. TfN says this equates to a target delivery rate of 470 charge point installations per week up to 2025, rising to 620 installations per week thereafter as more drivers migrate to EVs.

The EVCI framework, developed with Element Energy (an ERM Group company) and WSP, advocates a whole system approach and supports local authority and national government partners in the planning and deployment of EV charging infrastructure, underpinning public sector funding while informing and enhancing delivery through partnership with the private sector.

Martin Tugwell, Chief Executive of Transport for the North said, “Our evidence is clear that we must act now if we’re to roll out the EV charging infrastructure needed to support our decarbonisation, economic, and inclusivity ambitions.

“Our aim is to offer a fully integrated assessment, one that accounts for the large proportion of trips which are ‘cross-boundary’ as well as looking at how our roads and charging networks can cater for the full range of journeys being made to, from and within our region.

“It is important that the delivery of charging infrastructure is user-centred, placed-based and outcome-focused. In this way we can ensure access to EVs is equitable, accessible and inclusive. Our approach provides the means to make better assessments about where to put the new charging points, without forgetting the needs of non-EV users.”

Simon McGlone, Senior Major Roads Planning and Strategy Officer at Transport for the North, said, “Our EVCI framework provides a route map towards an efficient, attractive and inclusive EV charging network. It also identifies the significant requirements placed on the electricity grid and energy networks arising from the electrification of road vehicles.

“The evidence provides local specific details while delivering a whole network view which is important when you consider the user movements across our region and further afield. Our partnership has recognised the value of understanding this cross-boundary travel across the North, to support their EVCI actions to meet demand in their local areas. This means putting the right infrastructure in the right place, at the right time – taking value-for-money, resilient and integrated decisions based on user needs.

“Our evidence is openly available via our interactive tool to support collaborations and partnerships which deliver the density and coverage of charge points required to support our decarbonisation ambitions.”