Access to public charging infrastructure is a major consideration for many people when switching to electric vehicles (EVs) and is vital where drivers do not have off-street parking, says an Energy Saving Trust report.

The location of charge points has a strong influence on how often and how easily they are used by residents, businesses and visitors and therefore how much revenue – or negative feedback – they generate.

As new street furniture, on-street charge points need to be positioned carefully to avoid negatively impacting pedestrians and to be accepted by communities, especially where there are already parking and pavement pressures.

This guide offers advice for local authorities and others installing public charge points on how to overcome these challenges when positioning charge points, illustrated by case studies. Furthermore, the availability, cost and convenience of parking significantly influences driver behaviour.

Changes, such as introducing free or discounted EV parking, can therefore be proactively used by local authorities to directly encourage or reward a switch to electric vehicles. Such measures can effectively influence choices and are relatively low cost.

To read the Energy Saving Trust report in full, please click here

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