Transport for the North (TfN) says the region “must act now” when it comes to electric vehicle charging infrastructure to support decarbonisation ambitions. 

The call comes at TfN has launched its regional Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (EVCI) Framework.

Using a data-driven approach, TfN is capturing road user, socio-economic, land-use and housing data in one place for the first time to provide a comprehensive and consistent view of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging needs across the region.

The news comes as data from TfN shows there are currently around 8,000 public charge points across the North, 5% of the 161,000 charging connections needed across the region by 2030 to support drivers switching to electric vehicles.

TfN’s analysis indicates up to 470 charge point installations are required per week between now and 2025, with this rising to up to 620 installations per week between 2025 and 2030.

The whole system approach advocated by TfN aims to help accelerate delivery across the region, identifying opportunities for scaling up EV charging investment across the north.

Working with its transport and energy partners through its regional EV Steering Group, TfN has developed the EVCI Framework to support local, regional and national partners in the strategic planning and deployment of EV charging infrastructure. 

In this way the framework will help inform and enhance delivery through partnership with the private sector.

Martin Tugwell, chief executive of TfN, said: “Our evidence is clear that we must act now if we’re to roll out the EV charging infrastructure needed to support our decarbonisation, economic, and inclusivity ambitions. 

“Our aim is to offer a fully integrated assessment, one that accounts for the large proportion of trips which are ‘cross-boundary’ as well as looking at how our roads and charging networks can cater for the full range of journeys being made to, from and within our region.”

TfN says electric vehicle uptake is rapidly increasing, with no new petrol and diesel cars and vans to be sold in the UK by 2030. 

The organisation says over the next decade there will need to be a rapid transition to EVs and Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs which requires significant investment in charging infrastructure if we are to decarbonise transport.

Tugwell added: “It is important that the delivery of charging infrastructure is user-centred, placed-based and outcome-focused. In this way we can ensure access to EVs is equitable, accessible and inclusive. 

“Our approach provides the means to make better assessments about where to put the new charging points, without forgetting the needs of non-EV users.”

Simon McGlone, senior major roads planning and strategy officer at TfN, said: “Our EVCI framework provides a route map towards an efficient, attractive and inclusive EV charging network. It also identifies the significant requirements placed on the electricity grid and energy networks arising from the electrification of road vehicles.”

“The evidence provides local specific details while delivering a whole network view which is important when you consider the user movements across our region and further afield. Our partnership has recognised the value of understanding this cross-boundary travel across the North, to support their EVCI actions to meet demand in their local areas. 

“This means putting the right infrastructure in the right place, at the right time – taking value-for-money, resilient and integrated decisions based on user needs. 

“Our evidence is openly available via our interactive tool to support collaborations and partnerships which deliver the density and coverage of charge points required to support our decarbonisation ambitions.”

TfN’s EVCI framework has been developed to support local authority and national government partners in the planning and deployment of EV charging infrastructure, to underpin any public sector funding, as well as to inform and enhance any delivery through partnership with the private sector.