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in brief New rapid EV hub in Somerset Working in partnership with North Somerset Council, Yunex Traffic has installed two 50kW rapid charging units serving four parking bays. Situated close to Portishead Marina in Somerset, the hub is part of four that are being delivered across the region. The chargers will form part of Revive, the dedicated charging network for the West of England. The rapid chargers will typically enable drivers to charge their vehicles within 30-60 minutes. Cllr Bridget Petty, North Somerset Council’s executive member for climate emergency and engagement, said: ‘The new rapid charging hub near Portishead Marina, along with the growing Revive network, is a positive move towards our vision of a greener transport system which is kinder to the environment.’ Data scientists to address issues associated with EV rollout Ordnance Survey (OS) is inviting developers and data scientists to take part in the programme which will take place online from 6 -7 October. The programme will focus on four key challenges: •H ow to level up EV infrastructure planning for local government in remote communities • What is the demand for charge points for electric vehicle fleets and where do they need to be developed •H ow can geospatial data contribute to changing behaviours among nonEV owners •O pen innovation – what other sustainable concepts can be created using geospatial data Longer lorries could help to cut emissions, says Department for Transport This announcement follows a nineyear trial of the longer-semi trailers (LSTs) – which can be up to 15.65 metres in length. According to the Department for Transport, the trial saw a reduction in the number of lorries making journeys across the country, with an average 8% reduction in miles and a 6.3% reduction in pollution. Overall it is estimated that the full rollout of LSTs could remove up to 1 in 8 freight journeys. The Department for Transport will now consider these results but have said that these vehicles could be rolled out ‘sometime in 2022.’ 6
New project will address EV inequality A new project will address electric vehicle (EV) inequality in the London Borough of Lambeth.
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ownership is increasing year on year, with registrations up 117% in 2021 compared to last year. However, the uptake has exposed various inequalities, with those living in urban centres, high-rise flats and council estates significantly less likely to have access to a private driveway, making it difficult to install home charging solutions. As a result, households which have access to a driveway make up 80% of EV owners. With approximately onethird of residents in Lambeth living on estates managed by the council, the council has partnered with Connected Kerb to improve EV charging infrastructure across the borough.
The project includes 22 on-street EV chargers across 11 council estates in the Borough, with the aim to provide easy access to public charging, even for those without off-street parking. This forms part of the council’s wider strategy to work with multiple charge point operators to install more than
200 charge points by 2022, with the aim of ensuring that every household with no off-street parking is within a 5-minute walk of their nearest public charge point. The council hope that this will act as a blueprint that can be adopted at scale across other boroughs, councils and cities across the UK.
The UK car tax system punishes low mileage drivers The current car tax system punishes low income and low mileage drivers, according to a new report published by the University of Manchester and By Miles.
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he research shows that even though lower-income drivers complete 40% fewer miles, these drivers pay 212% more per mile than wealthier drivers in car tax. This is because car tax is still charged at a flat rate. Based on these findings, the authors are calling on the
government to adopt a usagebased tax system that charges and taxes motorists for the miles they actually drive and rewards those who drive less. James Blackham, CEO of By Miles, said: ‘Lowerincome drivers in the UK face a triple-lock of hardship at the hands of our current car tax system. Despite driving shorter
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distances, less often and being priced out of more efficient vehicles, these households are being used to subsidise the driving behaviours of much wealthier households. ‘It’s not controversial to suggest that those who use the roads the most should shoulder more of the burden when it comes to paying for them. ‘We urge the Government to adopt a fairer approach to lower mileage drivers, charging and taxing motorists for the miles they actually drive and rewarding those who drive less. We believe a new model would not only save most drivers money but also encourage and reward people to reduce emissions – however we choose to travel.’
