The Geospatial Commission has today (30 August 2023) published a report to support local authorities to make decisions about where to install electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints in their areas.
Location data can arm local authorities with evidence to rollout a public charging network that gives current and prospective EV owners the confidence to make their journeys, whether in a densely populated city or the countryside. Drivers need to have the same confidence that they can charge their EV as they have that they can refuel their current petrol or diesel vehicle, so they can go about their business unimpeded. This is critical to the growth of the economy, one of the Prime Minister’s five priorities.
This report explores the breadth of location data and applications available to support local authority decisions about where to install new chargepoints and identifies five opportunities to better use existing location data, as well as new sources of information to:
understand the location and availability of existing chargepoints by making chargepoint operator data standardised and consistent
understand consumer charging behaviour and travel patterns by using population movement data
identify the location of EVs by using commercially-held data about leased vehicles
identify existing electricity network capacity through better use of distribution network operator data
identify areas without off-street parking by using proxy data
