Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (EVCI) Strategy 2023

Overview

Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy 2023

Reading's new draft Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (EVCI) Strategy has been developed as a sub-strategy to the Reading Transport Strategy 2040 which we will be consulting on later this year. Our EVCI Strategy is also an important element in achieving the aims and objectives of Reading’s Climate Emergency Strategy, including the ambitious target of achieving a net zero carbon town by 2030. Reading also suffers with air pollution and a large part of the town centre and key corridors in the borough are covered by an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA).

One of the significant barriers to adopting electric vehicles (EVs) is the ability to charge vehicles, particularly for people who do not have a driveway or area at home where they can install charging facilities. We believe the Council has a key role in facilitating the roll-out of charging infrastructure, and this strategy has been developed to bring forward measures to tackle these issue, particularly to address any gaps in provision which are not adequately catered for by the private sector.

The overall aim of our Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy is:

"to accelerate the transition to Electric Vehicles for necessary travel in Reading in the context of wider Local Transport Plan aspirations to reduce the need to travel, reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality and promote sustainable and active travel."

This supported by the following 5 objectives

Objective 1: Develop a Reading-wide approach to facilitate and encourage the growth in use of electric and zero emission vehicles by Reading’s residents, businesses, and visitors.

Objective 2: Increase public EV charging point and improve charging infrastructure in line with requirement projections, and as amended through monitoring, by developing and implementing a policy for appropriate, equitable and disability aware accessible provision across the borough.

Objective 3: Seek to provide a renewable energy source for charging points on Council land or highway by 2030.

Objective 4: Respond flexibly to fast-paced and changing technologies within the EV sector.

Objective 5: The Council will lead by example by using EV technology as much as possible to further reduce the environmental impact of our day-to-day operations.

To view the draft EVCI Strategy please click here

It is recognised that EV charging is a rapidly changing area, therefore our strategy will be regularly reviewed as technology advances and new national policies and funding streams are brought forward. The strategy is currently in draft form, and we welcome all feedback received through the public consultation to help shape the final strategy. This will ensure that we are best placed to deliver the wider benefits that the transition to EVs will bring to our town.

Tell Us Your Views

• Filling out our online survey
• Emailing us at transport@reading.gov.uk

(Please quote ref: EVCI Strategy 2023)

This consultation will close on Monday18th September 2023.