Geospatial Commission report highlights need for location data to support EV chargepoint rollout

The three core findings from the report were the need for standardised and consistent data to support analysis and product innovation; the potentially untapped value in private sector data to support chargepoint rollout; and local authorities currently innovating with proxy methods to fill gaps in the data. 

These findings raised five distinct opportunities: 

1. To understand the location and availability of existing chargepoints by standardising operators’ data (the DfT has recently outlined legislation that will mandate operators to provide open access to data about chargepoints). 

2. To understand consumer charging behaviour and travel patterns by using population movement data from sources such as mobile network. 

3. To identify the location of EVs by using commercially held data about leased vehicles (currently, around two-thirds of new EV registrations are made by corporate fleet owners and licensing companies) 

4. To identify existing electricity capacity through the better use of distribution network operator data (Ofcom’s expectations for this are outlined in its Electric Vehicle Smart Charging Action Plan). 

5. To identify areas without off-street parking by using proxy data. 

“The transition to electric vehicles is central to the Government’s plan to decarbonise the transport sector, keep the UK at the forefront of clean transport and tackle pollution, all while seizing the potential for growth and job creation in the UK’s growing EV industry,” said Viscount Camrose, Minister for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. 

“Local authorities and the wider sector should continue to embrace new location data and analysis to accelerate the targeted rollout of chargepoints so that drivers can find and access reliable chargepoints wherever they live.” 

*www.logistics.org.uk/campaigns        

Published On: 07/09/2023 15:00:00

Comments Section

If you are a Logistics UK member login to add comments.