South Hams District Council is working with partners to make sure that electric vehicle (EV) charging points are distributed across the entire district, so everyone has access to charging facilities.
 
The availability of EV charging points is an important issue in the South Hams and across the wider region. We’re looking to unlock opportunities to provide charging points for those who don’t have them nearby, or lack sufficient off-street home charging.
 
The Council aims to:
 
·        Focus on identifying potential charging locations in less viable and remote locations, to help grow demand
·        Assist residents without off-street parking to access public charging points through partnerships
·        Ensure charging points and designated parking spaces are accessible and maintained
 
We’ve listed a number of actions we are considering taking to help improve access to charging points, and would love to hear your thoughts.

Question Title

* 1. We’re looking to identify opportunities to support research and innovation in electric vehicles. One part of this would be to submit a new bid under the new Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure scheme. This would involve a call for sites to identify areas for off-street rural charging hubs.
 
Do you think this action would benefit your area?

Question Title

* 2. We’re looking to promote and support community charge schemes, such as Zap-Home and Co Charger. Both organisations have a network of residences with home charge points of users that have decided to share them with other EV drivers.
 
Would supporting these organisations be beneficial in your area?

Question Title

* 3. We’re looking to promote the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) Workplace Charging Scheme to businesses and workplaces in the district. The scheme provides eligible businesses with support towards the upfront costs of the purchase and installation of EV charging points.
 
Do you think us promoting the scheme is worthwhile?

Question Title

* 4. We want to work with Devon County Council, OLEV and the National Grid to install ten more charging points at Council-owned car parks.

Would this be beneficial to EV drivers in the South Hams?

Question Title

* 5. We want to encourage supermarkets, rail stations and other partners and stakeholders to deliver EV charging points at other key destinations across the South Hams.

Do you think this is worth us doing?

Question Title

* 6. What else do you think the Council can do to help improve the number of EV charging points in the South Hams?

Question Title

* 7. Do you think our EV strategy should include investigating other methods of e-mobility, such as e-bikes or car sharing?

Question Title

* 8. Is there anything the Council should specifically be doing as it transitions its "light vehicle" fleet to electric vehicles?

T