{"id":79146,"date":"2020-07-13T10:32:20","date_gmt":"2020-07-13T09:32:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/?p=79146"},"modified":"2020-07-13T10:32:20","modified_gmt":"2020-07-13T09:32:20","slug":"electric-vehicle-infrastructure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/digital-construction-news\/construction-technology-news\/electric-vehicle-infrastructure\/79146\/","title":{"rendered":"Electric vehicle infrastructure and construction: Solving the riddle"},"content":{"rendered":"

Can infrastructure alone accelerate rapid growth to zero-emission vehicle adoption? Mark Richards of international law firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner<\/a> examines the riddle of supporting the massive shift to electric vehicles and the opportunities for the construction industry to take a leading role<\/h2>\n

The Covid-19 pandemic has sent shockwaves through almost all sectors of the UK and global economy. The pandemic is likely to have lasting effects on traditional business models as we adapt to homeworking, social distancing and see aspects of public policy shift away from globalisation.<\/p>\n

The transport sector<\/a> has certainly not been immune to this, as airline operators wrestle with record slumps in demand, airports underutilised and traditional mass transit systems operators deal with a fraction of usual daily commuter passengers.<\/p>\n

The need to socially distance has led to an increase in commuters utilising their cars to get to and from their workplaces, especially those key workers who are unable to undertake their jobs remotely. But these key workers are only a fraction of the typical commuters heading into our big cities, most are currently homeworking<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The combination of the lockdown imposed by the government and continued homeworking has significantly reduced traffic volumes in our cities, which in turn has led to significant improvements in air quality and noise reduction. Many commentators have remarked on how these benefits should be maintained through the adoption of zero-emission vehicles.<\/p>\n

There is certainly a powerful set of voices, including the influential We Mean Business Coalition, and some major corporations, calling for a Covid-19 policy response that embeds longer-term stimulus based on considering the health and wellbeing of citizens and managing environment and social impact through investments to support, amongst other things, a transition to net-zero and clean mobility.<\/p>\n

So, is this the moment in time for zero-emission vehicles?<\/h3>\n

Possibly, but as with many discussions on the transition to electro-mobility we have to face-off the perennial riddle, which comes first the chicken or the egg? Is the delay in the mass adoption of zero-emission vehicles due to a lack of charging infrastructure? In order to get the infrastructure built out, you need customers (ie EV drivers) willing to pay for charging – but you don\u2019t have customers without the infrastructure\u2026so, how do we solve this riddle?<\/p>\n

The conditions have to be right, including most crucially a business model to fund (which will allow the finance) of rapid open-source electric vehicle charging points. If we can create this business model then is it simply a question of \u201cbuild, build, build\u201d out this charging network?<\/p>\n

I am convinced that is a large part of solving the issue of mass adoption of electric vehicles<\/a>, but before I consider the conditions for a successful business model itself there are other factors influencing the success of the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.<\/p>\n

In no particular order, as well as rolling out an open-access rapid charging network on the UK\u2019s motorways, A Roads, along with more on-street parking chargers (whether kerb side or lamp post) and a network of less rapid chargers (where dwell times can be longer), we will also need to wrestle with the following:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. a) Consumer education on electric vehicles and consumer behaviour generally.<\/li>\n
  2. b) Establishing a greater choice of electric vehicles for consumers.<\/li>\n
  3. c) Reducing interoperability and technology risks.<\/li>\n
  4. d) Initial acquisition cost of electric vehicles in comparison to internal combustion vehicles.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    So, what can be done about our chicken and egg riddle?<\/p>\n

    The UK government has announced a number of measures to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic. At the time of writing, we are expecting a mini-budget on 8 July where it is expected the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, will announce significant investment in \u201cshovel-ready\u201d infrastructure projects<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    It is likely the government will place a significantly important role in the delivery and commissioning of infrastructure for some years to come, so the government will act as commissioner, guarantor, funder and market-maker.<\/p>\n

    The government can already be commended for the recent tax incentives put in place to attract company car drivers to switch to electric vehicles, this comes after a commitment to the sector through its Road to Zero<\/a> strategy announced in July 2018, providing ambitious targets for new car and van sales. When coupled with the government\u2019s commitment to reduction in CO2 emissions, the introduction at regional, city and local levels of ultra-low emission zones and clean air zones across the UK \u2013 arguably a lot of the policy framework exists to \u201cnudge\u201d and, in some instances push consumers to electric vehicle adoption.<\/p>\n

    Incentivise charging infrastructure<\/h3>\n

    \"\"So, against all this, it does feel like a once in a lifetime opportunity to incentivise the large-scale build-out of additional charge points across the UK, as a means to deliver \u201cshovel-ready\u201d infrastructure.<\/p>\n

    The majority of charging infrastructure installations and projects will not require lengthy planning processes and consultation, there is an opportunity for the government to invest in the e-mobility sector through incentives and capital projects delivered locally through local authorities and devolved administrations. While short-term it is likely to have a stimulus effect of increasing jobs\/retaining jobs in the construction sector, there are also arguably long-term amenity benefits through cleaner air and reduced noise pollution, as well as tangible economic benefits from the reduction total cost of ownership and gains in productivity.<\/p>\n

    The government continues to promote electric vehicle adoption and has enacted various pieces of legislation to promote the e-mobility transition including:<\/p>\n

    Autonomous & Electric Vehicles Act 2018 (AEV Act)<\/h3>\n

    The AEV Act makes provision for introduction of regulations covering:<\/h4>\n