Sharing infrastructure knowledge

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 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.”

• 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.

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.”