The Low Carbon Hub has been holding a series of virtual meetings on topical subjects, the latest (15th July) was on Electric Vehicles and Charging points.
There is an agreed and adopted Oxfordshire wide EV Infrastructure Strategy which can be read here
Executive summary
All six of Oxfordshire’s councils have declared climate emergencies. Supporting a transition to zero emission road transport is a key component in Oxfordshire’s councils achieving their net zero carbon targets, and this has been reinforced by Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Councils’ commitment to delivering the UK’s first ZEZ in Oxford to reduce air pollution levels, tackle the climate emergency, and improve the health of residents, workers and visitors in Oxford and beyond.
Comprehensive, accessible and efficient charging infrastructure is essential in enabling the rapid adoption of electric vehicles, accelerated by the 2030 date for the end of petrol and diesel car sales in the UK.
In keeping with Oxfordshire’s status as a centre of innovation, the Councils are at the forefront of delivering new solutions and sustainable models for EV charging across the county. Drawing on partnerships with Oxford’s academic institutions and technology firms Oxfordshire is delivering projects at the cutting edge of zero emissions mobilities. The Energy Superhub Oxford project will see large scale battery storage technology supporting a super-rapid EV charging hub in Oxford, while Local Energy Oxfordshire is exploring how local renewable energy generation can support decentralisation of the grid, and how EVs can play a part in new energy systems. Oxfordshire’s V2GO project has examined the potential for EV fleets to support the grid through acting as energy storage units, and the ongoing Go Ultra Low Oxford and Park and Charge projects are examining new technologies and models to support EV drivers without access to off-road parking and charging.
This pipeline of projects across the county is delivering up to 432 charging points by June 2022 in partnership with Government and the private sector.
The Oxfordshire Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy (OEVIS) sets out the policies and plans to realise our vision for EV charging in Oxfordshire, whereby:
Residents, businesses and visitors in Oxfordshire will be confident they can recharge EVs conveniently, and in a manner appropriate for their needs.
Oxfordshire’s EV charging provision will develop to meet the needs of users now and in the future, and in doing so support Oxfordshire’s transition to decarbonising transport and improving air quality.
There are a number of projects across the county ranging from EV car clubs to the installation of EV charging points at Village Halls (Kirtlington) , some have arisen through the transition towns initiative; enthusiasm is patchy often depending on individuals and often dependent on community groups associated with the Community Action Group network https://cagoxfordshire.org.uk/
To be economic large scale introduction of charging points is unlikely to happen in sparse rural areas, concentration will tend to be in the towns. Although as 2030 and the phasing out of petrol and diesel cars comes closer, the roll out of EV charging and its necessary infrastructure will have to be addressed. At present there are 280 EV points in 22 car parks across the county.