Let's Talk Electric Vehicle Charging

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Let's Talk Electric Vehicle Charging

Working towards its goal of becoming a Carbon Neutral Local Authority by 2030, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council is helping shape the future development of Electric Vehicle Charging across the County Borough by introducing more charging points and facilitating the switch to Ultra Low Emission Vehicle use.

Click here to view the results of our previous Electric Vehicle Charging future plans consultation.

Following this, we have now produced an Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy, Implementation Plan, and Action Plan, to outline the key principles that will empower the Council to advise, help and support individuals, or parties, that wish to make the switch from conventional vehicles to electric vehicles.

Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy

The Strategy aims to provide an overview of the work taking place at a national, regional, and local level to coordinate the development of a robust and practical electric vehicle charging (EVC) network across Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough, whilst fostering a transition from petrol and diesel vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) as part of the Council’s wider sustainable transport goals. The Strategy sets out 10 Ambitions which aim to coordinate a County Borough-wide approach to promote and encourage the development of a robust EV charging network in the short, medium, and long term.

Click here to view the Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy.

Our Ambitions:

1. Develop an Implementation Plan to roll out an EV Charging infrastructure aligned to future demand with suitable speed and power chargers for all vehicles including cars, taxis, buses, e-motorcycles, e-bicycles. mobility scooters.
2. Establish the need for EV Infrastructure by working with partners, where applicable. to secure external funding opportunities and help meet demand.
3. Review our Planning Policies, whilst working with landowners and developers to ensure the EV charge point opportunities are identified and pursued, to promote sustainable methods of transportation.
4. Monitor air quality, to evaluate the relationship between increased EV uptake and improved air quality, expectantly reducing the harmful effects of air pollutants on public health.
5. Develop a series of models for funding, deployment. and management.
6. Identify all suitable locations for potential 'Destination Charging' sites.
7. Identify suitable locations for Workplace Charging' across all RCT sites and work with other sectors, where applicable, to increase workplace charging. to meet demand as appropriate.
8. Work with residents to raise awareness and establish the best means of charging vehicles where planning, physical and/or technical constraints mean that their preferred method of charging is not feasible or achievable.
9. Explore potential opportunities for introduction of car clubs within the County Borough.
10. Transform our fleet towards more sustainable methods of transportation in a planned and practical way.

Electric Vehicle Charging Implementation Plan

Following the publication of the Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy, an Electric Vehicle Charging Implementation Plan was developed, which aims to provide guidance and advice on best practice to develop a comprehensive EV charging network throughout the Borough including school, visitor, customer, workplace, public and council-owned charging facilities.

Aims of the Implementation Plan:

• Identify key themes to support the Council’s delivery of charging infrastructure across the County Borough.
• Provide guidance and advice on best practice to develop a comprehensive network of electric vehicle charge points that both responds to existing demand for EV infrastructure and provides for and accelerates the uptake of electric vehicles in the future.
• Establish a clear set of actions to drive the delivery of the Council’s EV Charging Ambitions.

Click here to view the Electric Vehicle Charging Implementation Plan.

Infrastructure Action Plan

The accompanying Infrastructure Action Plan, linked to the Council’s Climate Change Strategy, aims to support the delivery of charging infrastructure across the County Borough and recommends the short term, medium term, and ongoing actions required to assist progress and to signpost the way forward in delivering the aforementioned Ambitions over the coming years. Please click through to view the details of each Action.

Charge Point Installation Updates

Residential On-Street Charging: Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council Highway Authority cannot, currently, support the installation of privately owned electric vehicle charge points on, adjacent to, or over, the public highway. In the interests of highway safety and in respect of future maintenance, the Highway Authority are not able to permit the trailing of cables, even with the use of an overlay or recessed grid across a public highway or footpath, or the channelling of cables under the footpath. This is due to public liability issues, including the risk of trip hazards and more complex electrical safety issues at the point of use. Notwithstanding this, the Council has secured funding to install Electric Vehicle Charging Points at a number of public parking locations across the County Borough, close to residential areas.

Public Charging: Working in partnership with the Cardiff Capital Region Transport Authority (CCRTA), the Council has secured funding to install public use 7kw to 22kw fast charging points at 31 car park sites across Rhondda Cynon Taf. The programme forms part of a wider scheme being delivered across the Cardiff Capital Region area of 10 local authorities. It is hoped that the programme will continue to expand over the coming years.

Click here to view the up-to-date information relating to the progress of EVC installations.

Click here for FAQs relating to the operation of EV charge points across the County Borough.

Get Involved

Where would you like to see community Electric Vehicle Charging Points?

The Council will be looking at key places to introduce community charging points in public locations across RCT, these may include:

• Leisure Centres
• Car Parks
• Tourist and Cultural Attractions
• Town Centres

The Council is keen to see where there is public interest and demand for such community charging. Please use the map to let us know what you think and leave some comments. To drop a pin, click the + button on the left-hand side.