Mobilising your EV charging project

Deploying EV charging infrastructure is complex because it involves many stakeholders across different functions within a local authority, such as 

• Procurement
• Legal
• Highways
• Parking
• Engineering/Electrical/lighting (depending on who controls electricity)

To mobilise an EV charging project, all the relevant stakeholders must be aligned through good governance, managing expectations, and delivering in a complex organisation.

It is likely there will be some opposition from different stakeholders because the scale of the infrastructure project is so large it can appear to be an almost impossible task.

One way to overcome such doubts is to set an aspirational goal, which helps to rewrite expectations and focus the project team on the future benefits for the public, the local authority and partner companies.

In this video, hear some of the typical arguments you may face and learn how Hammersmith & Fulham Borough Council overcame such objections to deliver a network of more than 1000 EV charger points.

External expertise

Very commonly local authorities do not have a dedicated EV charging lead with accountability for the project delivery or other reliable resources with the necessary industry knowledge and insight.  Instead, they turn to costly external consultants to help. But many charge point operators (CPOs) offer a similar capability.

It is critical for the local authority to know what capability and competence the CPO offers in providing impartial advice that includes as many alternative but relevant solutions as possible. Can the operator support you with everything you need from developing the right strategy and funding, to identifying suitable sites, and consulting with the public to ensure the network is accessible, reliable and future proof?

Attracting a suitable private sector partner is critical to the success of the infrastructure project. It is important for any company to hear how any future relationship will be viewed as a partnership. You  can hear why it is important here.

Public Consultation

Once a detailed plan for the type and possible location of charging facilities has been developed, it is time to ask the local residents for their input and feedback.

Local authorities are used to running public consultations on a broad range of issues within their local area and are likely to have already identified preferred methods for doing so. But there are a few specific issues to consider when consulting on EV charging infrastructure.

Many residents are aware EVs will help to protect the environment globally and increase air quality locally. But understanding of EVs and charging among the general public remains relatively low. Residents may not always be keen to have changepoints installed on their roads or outside their homes and you may well run into opposition.

Town Hall meetings give residents – whether they drive EVs or not – the opportunity to voice their opinions and express their needs. They also give you the opportunity to assess residents’ understanding and address common misconceptions about Evs such as the range of the vehicle, battery degradation and recycling, and the lack of lifecycle emissions relative to petrol cars.

Hear how Hammersmith & Fulham Council encouraged residents and gained public consent for their ambitious EV charging scheme: