2.36 In 2018 the government launched its Road to Zero Strategy. The ambition being to see at least half of new cars to be ultra low emissions by 2030. The sale of cars with combustion engines will be phased out. As part of this the government aims to roll out infrastructure to support electric vehicles (EV).
2.37 In October 2019 the government conducted a consultation with regards to the installation of electric vehicle infrastructure. By amending building regulations, it proposes:
- residential buildings to include requirements for electric vehicle charge points
- non-residential buildings to include requirements for electric vehicle charge point infrastructure
- introduce requirement for existing non-residential buildings to have electric vehicle charge points
2.38 Should the proposal be adopted, then an electric vehicle policy requiring charging infrastructure in new development will be amended so as not to duplicate building regulations.
2.39 Active charging provides a charger on site when a development is constructed. Passive charging provides the ducting and infrastructure that can easily be connected to a charger when it is required. The advantage of providing 100% active charging means that EV charging is available upon completion of development. However, the passive charging allows for charging to be activated as demand increases so allows for the latest technologies to be used. The cost of passive charging is much less than active charging.
Consultation Reference DM 8
New Policy Electric Vehicle
Residential Development: Minor Residential Development
Option 1a: For all dwellings with one or more dedicated parking space or garage passive infrastructure shall be installed to allow for the charging of electric vehicles.
Option 1b: For all dwellings with one or more dedicated parking space or garage an active charger for the charging of electric vehicles will be installed.
Residential Development: Major Residential Development
Option 2a: For major residential development at least 20% of parking spaces shall have active charging facilities, and passive provision for all remaining parking spaces with the layout of the car park ensuring that all spaces can be easily activated with minimal disruption as demand increases.
Option 2b: For major residential development 100% active charging shall be installed.
Where off street parking is not provided and parking is provided on street within a development proposal, the design and layout of the development should incorporate infrastructure to enable the on street charging of electric vehicles.
Non-residential Development
In all non-residential developments providing 1 or more car parking bays, passive infrastructure shall be installed to enable provision of charging facilities for electric vehicles.
Option 3a: Where 10 or more car parking bays are provided, at least 20% of those bays to provide active charging facilities for electric vehicles, and passive provision for all remaining bays.
Option 3b: In non-residential development where parking bays are provided, 100% active charging shall be installed.
Grid Capacity
Where an applicant is seeking to argue that local grid infrastructure cannot accommodate additional charging the applicant must submit evidence from Western Power Distribution to demonstrate that this is the case.
2.40 The council’s parking standards are being reviewed and it is proposed that the proposed parking standards are removed from the Local Plan and instead form part of a new Supplementary Planning Document. The standards in the Parking Strategy for ‘active’ and ‘passive’ charging provision are principally aimed at increasing the uptake of electric vehicles within B&NES in order to minimise the impact of vehicle emissions on air quality.
2.41 The council is in a process of consulting on its Liveable Neighbourhoods Strategy. As part of this work an on-street electric vehicle charging strategy has been published and is being consulted on.
2.42 Electric vehicle chargers can be installed under permitted development. Part 2, class C allows for the installation of a charging unit within a parking area, subject to certain conditions. On street chargers can be provided under Part 12, class A which allows for on street charging when installed by Local Authorities.
2.43 This policy seeks to provide electric vehicle infrastructure within new housing and non-residential development where parking is provided. It is proposed to complement the proposals by the council for on street charging.