Introduction and context
1.1 Cumberland Councils strategy for Electric Vehicles (EV) involves infrastructure development, incentive programs, public awareness campaigns, fleet electrification, collaboration with businesses, policy support, research and development, and integration with renewable energy.
1.2 The take up of electric vehicles is increasing rapidly as the choice and performance of EVs improves, supporting people’s desire to shift to cleaner, more sustainable travel options, reduce carbon emissions and improve local air quality. This is driven by changes in legislation that will see the sale of new petrol and diesel cars banned from 2035 in the UK. The recent volatility in the cost of petrol and diesel, has further accelerated the transition away from the internal combustion engine (ICE).
1.3 In 2019, the government launched the Road to Zero Strategy which set an ambition for the sale of new conventional petrol and diesel cars and vans to end by 2040 and included measures to achieve its ambition for the majority of new cars and vans to be 100 per cent zero emission by 2040. Proposals have been strengthened with the ban on sale of new petrol and diesel cars now planned by the end of 2030, and hybrids from 2035.
1.4 Sales of electric vehicles have been on a steeply rising curve for the past few years and growth is projected to continue on this upward trajectory.
- 2018 - 15,510
- 2019 - 37,850
- 2020 - 108,205
- 2021 - 190,727
- 2022 - 267,203
- 2023 - 500,000 (projection)
(Source: Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders)
‘There could be around 10 million electric cars and vans that are regularly parked overnight on-street in the UK by 2050. They will all need to access charging solutions that are as convenient and affordable as possible, and that minimise the impact on the UK’s electricity system.
This will almost certainly be provided by a mix of charging solutions including some local on-street charging, some destination charging, some workplace charging and some rapid charging.
Although there is insufficient evidence in 2022 to suggest a definitive optimum mix, even in 2050 there will be a clear need to:
(a) shift as much charging activity as possible into the off-peak to minimise the burden on the electricity system
(b) to offer access to the lowest cost charging tariffs to consumers.’