Government launches transport data strategy

The government has published its new Transport Data Strategy, which sets out plans for the greater use of data in transport and aims to improve how people find, use and get value from transport data to support greater innovation in the sector and deliver better services.

Better use of transport data can improve interconnectivity between different types of transport, support the development of journey-planning apps and improve their accuracy, ultimately helping to make it easier for people to use and plan journeys. Unlocking transport data can also help the government achieve the green transport objectives of the Transport Decarbonisation Plan. The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles is currently working with industry to make public chargepoint data openly available which will drive the growth of mobile apps that will enable drivers of Electric Vehicles (EVs) to plan their journeys and locate and access chargepoints with ease. The same data will enable EV network operators to optimise their charging networks and provide government, public authorities and electricity network operators with the data they need to effectively plan for any future interventions, as well as investment required to grow and improve the UK’s READ charging network. There are also plans to incorporate EV charging availability into Mobility as a Service (MaaS), as well as standardised carbon data.

The Transport Data Strategy focuses on five key ambitions, including: improving data sharing to benefit transport users; promoting data standards; improving data skills in the workforce; ensuring appropriate governance and communication with the sector; and providing leadership and support for the sector.

As part of the strategy, the government is launching the ‘Find Transport Data’ pilot, a data catalogue to make it easier for innovators, researchers and others to find transport data, and ultimately deliver efficiencies and help improve services for customers.

Read more about the Transport Data Strategy on page 27.

Off-peak ultra-rapid charging cheaper per mile than petrol

The AA’s EV Recharge Report for February shows that off-peak ultra-rapid charging was cheaper per mile than petrol car for the first time, with an 8 p/kWh reduction. The average cost of off-peak charging has dropped from 60 p/kWh to 52 p/kWh, while peak charging at these speeds is also cheaper having fallen from 74 p/kWh to 67 p/kWh.

Stockport Council and Be.EV to install rapid and ultra-rapid chargers

Stockport Council has signed a £15million deal with Be.EV to install and operate 54 rapid and ultra rapid chargers across 20 locations, which will be powered by renewable energy from Octopus Energy.

Residents will also benefit from a share of the revenue from the charge points.

Anyone will be able to use the chargers but Be.EV members will be able to access a discounted rate across the company’s rapidly growing network.

The council will retain ownership of the sites but the chargers will be installed and managed by Be.EV.

It will cost around £8million to install the 54 rapid and ultra rapid chargers with the ongoing operational costs of £7million over next 10 years.

Be.EV CEO Asif Ghafoor said: “Stockport

Council has taken a well thought out intelligent approach to providing EV chargers.

“It is a great example of how the public sector can partner with the private.

“The council wants to deliver cleaner air and they have found these sites for EV chargers. It is our job now to bring the expertise and the commercial incentive to make them fabulous.

“They are the first step in helping the borough and its residents hit their green targets while bringing a financial benefit as well.

“We want other councils to sit up and take notice of this gold standard development or they will be left behind.”

The downside is that the cost of slow charging has gone up with flat rate fixed prices, rising nearly nine per cent, from 34 p/kWh to 37 p/kWh.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy said: “EV owners are still reaping the benefits of cheaper per mile motoring, and this could improve further if energy costs are to fall later in the year. The recent shift in peak and off-peak charging prices for ultra-rapid devices provides brilliant value for money, especially with Easter just around the corner.”

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