Issue - meetings

The Portfolio Holder for Waste Management & Environmental Health presented the report to consider the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the Electric Vehicles (EV) Policy.

The Portfolio Holder for Climate Change Emergency & Housing advised that following on from their original consultation response Devon County Council had raised a suggestion that new public car parks, commercial car parks and redevelopments\expansions of existing employment sites should include provision for EV charging. Therefore an amendment was proposed to the policy section that currently reads ‘requiring all future residential development proposals (with off street parking) to be “electric ready” to accommodate EV charging’ to ‘requiring all future residential development proposals (with off street parking) and non-residential developments of 10 or more off-highway vehicle parking spaces should be “electric ready” to accommodate EV charging in accordance with the local plan policies.’

Non-Executive Members commented on the need to ensure that there were adequate charging points by taking advantage of under used areas council owned car parks and how future advances in electric vehicles could affect the requirements and need of charging points.

The recommendation with the amendment was proposed by the Portfolio Holder for Climate Change Emergency & Housing and seconded by Portfolio Holder for Waste Management & Environmental Health.

RESOLVED the Electric Vehicles, Infrastructure and Ultra Low Emission Vehicle Policy be approved subject to the following amendment to the policy section of ‘requiring all future residential development proposals (with off street parking) and non-residential developments of 10 or more off-highway vehicle parking spaces should be “electric ready” to accommodate EV charging in accordance with the local plan policies.’

Consideration was given to the agenda report which provided an update on the consultation results on the draft policy. During Committee discussion concern was expressed that: there were a variety of vehicle plug-in designs and it was considered that Government policy should seek a standardised plug in system for electric vehicles; rural area would miss out on electric plug-in locations; and the resources involve in making and disposing of car batteries, and the charging of batteries.

The Portfolio Holder for Waste Management and Environmental Health advised that car manufacturers were pursuing the electric vehicle option for the future, and he understood research was looking into the reuse of second hand electric car batteries.

RECOMMENDED

The Executive be advised that the Committee recommends approval of the Electric Vehicles, Infrastructure and Ultra Low Emission Vehicle Policy.