A growing number of local authorities now have an electric vehicle charging strategy in place but few are talking to fleets about their needs.

Few local authorities are talking to fleets to assess their charging needs

The latest Fleet Friendly Charging Index from the BVRLA shows half (49%) of local authorities have a plan in place, up from 37% last year. And the majority of councils are expected to have plans by the end of 2024.

The rise is due to more engagement with the LEVI programme, which is making funding available to support local infrastructure plans. The funding is enabling experts to be hired, teams to be set up, and projects to get off the ground.

But BVRLA’s new Fleet Friendly Charging Index warns that a major disconnect remains between council charging infrastructure teams and the fleet sector.

Evidence of fleet engagement has improved year on year to reach 38% of local authorities (up from 34%). When looking at what is considered to be significant engagement with fleets, that figure plummets to just 5%.

Gerry Keaney, BVRLA chief executive, said: “It is good to see progress across the UK but we are heading towards a dead end. Fleets represent the majority of miles driven across the UK. Failing to meet their needs will lead to ineffective infrastructure. Monumental sums are being invested to deliver EV plans in all regions and risk being wasted if the views of our biggest road users are not part of the conversation from day one.”

The biggest annual uplift shown by the Fleet Friendly Charging Index is in the number of local authorities now listing a dedicated EV contact. New teams and roles have been created and now mean that 57% of local authorities have someone responsible for taking EV plans through from development into delivery.

The BVFLA, armed with the results of its new Index, is working to access those contacts as it spotlights a clear need to communicate where the fleet sector is ready and waiting to collaborate.

As part of its work, the BVRLA hosted an event with local authority representatives from across the country today (Thursday 14 March).

Held in conjunction with the Energy Saving Trust and Novuna Vehicle Solutions, the ‘Charge Forward’ event was designed to supercharge local authorities’ understanding of EV charging infrastructure and how to acknowledge fleet needs. It also launched the latest Fleet Friendly Charging Index findings.

Fleets can help play a role too, using the Fleet Friendly Charging Index to see how progress in their region is tracking against the national picture.

Where available, contact details for each authority are visible, allowing conversations to be started and introductions to be made. Industry colleagues or stakeholders wishing to engage with their local authority can contact policy@bvrla.co.uk for any guidance and materials.