EVolution#10.qxp_PR368_p33-45 11/02/2023 08:11 Page 7
NEWS
Knocking down barriers to EV transition The key recommendations are: • leverage the expanding pre-owned ZEV market • public charging and fuelling infrastructure • targeted incentives toward lower income regions • community-driven decision-making • support regions’ mobility alternatives • the role of electrifying medium and heavy-duty trucks • resilience and ability to manage change • job transition.
Improving charging provision is a matter of social justice, says report The major barriers to the adoption of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) among disadvantaged communities are their high cost and a lack of charging infrastructure, says a new report. Environmental Justice Impacts of Zero Emission Vehicles explores the barriers to an equitable transition to zero-emission vehicles. Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Three ZEV markets – California and Michigan in the USA, and England – were selected for quantitative analysis of disparities in ZEV adoption, and of the major factors driving them in each market. In addition to quantitative analysis, the project team conducted a comprehensive environmental justice stakeholder engagement in the three markets to identify major barriers to adoption of ZEVs within lower-income regions and disadvantaged communities. The engagement, formed of semistructured interviews and online workshops with 15 environmental justice
experts and engagement with 24 organisations dedicated to environmental justice, identified policies that local jurisdictions and governments could embrace to increase ZEV adoption and operation in disadvantaged communities. The three major barriers in adoption of ZEVs within lower income regions and disadvantaged communities are: affordability; access to charging infrastructure; and the availability of mobility options.
The research was conducted for the International Zero-Emission Vehicle Alliance (IZEVA) by consultants ICF and GSMP partners Cenex and Forth Mobility. Cenex led on environmental justice stakeholder engagement in the EU and undertook data analysis to identify impact of policies in the UK. Beth Morley, mobility and human insights manager, said: “ZEVs have great potential to improve public health, air quality, energy independence, and sustainability. However, challenges do exist with respect to affordability of ZEVs and equitable access to fuelling and charging infrastructure. “There are some areas of the market not seeing adequate uptake in ZEV awareness or options, and we highly recommended that more be done to further outreach in marginalised communities.”
Sharing infrastructure knowledge
Research hub tackles decarbonisation
Local authorities can now access reliable, up-to-date information and guidance about electric vehicles and infrastructure to inform chargepoint strategies and support effective deployments. The National Electric Vehicle Insight and Strategy (NEVIS) service now includes a ‘Knowledge Repository’ to put the right advice and insight into the hands of those responsible for the deployment of EV infrastructure in England. The online repository, revealed at the second LEVI Roadshow, aims to equip and engage local authorities to deliver EVI through a growing suite of Wikipedia-style searchable articles, images and videos. The articles are divided into steps so that local authority officers can find information that is specific to them and the stage of the journey they are at. This includes those just starting out or developing their strategy, through to procurement and operations. Since its launch at Cenex-LCV in September 2022, over 150 English
A new UK research hub will develop innovative measures to decarbonise and improve transport. Decarbonisation minister Jesse Norman has announced applications are open for organisations to host the new hub, with the government pledging £10m in funding for the centre. The Net Zero Transport for a Resilient Future Research Hub will be a partnership between government departments, industry and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). It is a joint programme between UKRI and the Department for Transport as part of the UKRI ‘Building a green future’ strategic theme. It will focus on climate adaptation and mitigation solutions for the UK transport system across modalities and landscapes. Currently, transport accounts for 27% of the UK’s emissions and the Net Zero Transport for a Resilient Future Hub will drive decarbonisation solutions, such as greater use of recycled materials and reducing the carbon footprint of repairs and
local authorities have registered for access as part of the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund. The LEVI Support Body, formed of Cenex, Energy Saving Trust and PA Consulting, provides expert technical and commercial support to enable successful LEVI applications for a share of the £400m capital grant scheme administered by OZEV. The support body offers preapplication support to shape and develop EVI vision, strategy and, ultimately, LEVI Fund proposals through assistance in understanding eligibility and establishing project fit against criteria. Chloe Hampton, infrastructure strategy consultant at Cenex, said: “Any good EVI strategy, delivery plan or chargepoint operations management is grounded in reliable, up-to-date information. “The launch of the Knowledge Repository means that local authorities have the highest-quality guidance at their fingertips, with links out to valuable external resources.”
maintenance. The hub will also develop and implement innovative ideas to ensure future transport is resilient and meets the challenges of climate adaption, such as changes to weather and water levels. It will focus on the UK’s transport sector’s needs over the next 25 years as the government works to meet its 2050 net zero goals, helping to ensure the sector can build UK skills, jobs and innovation. Jesse Norman said:“Innovation is key to the growth of the transport sector, and the creation of highskilled jobs and business opportunities across the UK. This new UK research hub will build a centre of excellence for the future development of low-carbon transport. “By working to develop real-world solutions across a wide range of academic disciplines, such as architecture and design, computing and behavioural sciences, the hub will help support innovation in the UK which could lead to high-skilled jobs across the UK.”
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