Case Studies of projects from across the UK

A key component of the Energy Saving Trust Local Government Support Programme is to allow authorities to share best practice with each other, and learn from each other’s programmes. Below we have included some case studies of projects that we are aware of in the UK.

The Local Government Support Programme has developed a number of case studies of local authority activity in delivering EV chargepoint networks.

Working with the Chamber of Commerce: Greater Manchester Go Electric Project

The Greater Manchester GMEV project planned to deliver a series of engagement events directed at organisations and the general public. The project engaged at an early stage with the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce who helped to develop and promote the events in consultation with their members. This input has ensured the buy in and promotional power of the Chamber and its access to members as well as helping to develop a strong relationship between GMEV and the Chamber.

For more information on the project visit: https://www.local.gov.uk/greater-manchester-electric-vehicle-network

Anti-idling Campaigns: Clean Air Marshalls in Southampton

The Southampton Clean Air Marshalls programme was delivered through a number of events during the summer of 2018. Volunteers were trained in the subject and trained on how best to approach the public to discuss air quality issues in a friendly, informative and non-judgmental way. A total of 45 Air Quality Champions were trained as part of the project. The first campaign was a series of events from February to September 2018. The headline results of this project were that nearly 90% of drivers switched off their engines and 105 pledges were made to not idle in the future.

For more information on the project visit: https://www.southampton.gov.uk/environmental-issues/pollution/air-quality/no-idling.aspx

Using web platforms: The Travelwest Programme

The Travelwest programme is a good example of an effective engagement strategy which is built around a web platform that provides information about all the available active and sustainable travel modes, including a journey planner app. In addition, the Travelwest team delivers dedicated business engagement activities through an in-house business engagement team and sustainable travel roadshow provision.

The team also runs a series of annual activities designed to promote commuter travel behaviour change. The activities include:

• An annual travel to work survey which provides useful baseline data for employers on staff travel habits (including where there is demand for new and improved facilities) and enables the Travelwest team to identify how successful past measures have been.
• The annual commuter challenge, where individuals are rewarded for their efforts to commute by more sustainable modes.
• Annual travel awards, which reward employers and individuals for their efforts to promote more sustainable and active travel habits.
• The provision of 50% match-funded grants to enable employers to promote activities designed to reduce single-occupancy vehicle commuting.

For more information on the project visit: https://travelwest.info/pages/us

Community Engagement: Clean Air Marshalls in the Air Aware Project in Sheffield 

The Air Aware campaign aims to raise awareness about PM10 and NO2 gas and the damage they can do to people’s health. The campaign is encouraging people to reduce air pollution by:

• walking or cycling more and driving less whenever they can
• an anti-idling campaign promoting switching their engine off when stationary
• walking and cycling in cleaner air away from heavy traffic areas
• trying car-sharing and remembering to check their tyre pressures
• buying a low emission vehicle.

The campaign also works with primary school age children to help them make decisions about how they travel in the future and has developed a range or resources for use in schools.

For more information on the project visit: https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/home/pollution-nuisance/air-aware

Business Grant Schemes: Nottingham’s Workplace Travel Service

The Nottingham Workplace Travel Service helps businesses to reduce staff travel costs, improve staff health, fitness and well being, reduce local road congestion and save you money. The Council team of travel advisors can help a business new to travel planning or those wanting to build on existing programmes.

As part of the programme a business can benefit from up to £25,000 of financial support to help meet the costs of workplace travel improvements, such as electric vehicle charge points, cycle parking, showers, pool bikes, car sharing and car parking management. To maximise the benefit the programme asks for a financial or in-kind contribution from the businesses.

The programme also offers a dedicated Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle experience programme that offers fleet reviews, vehicle try-before-you-buy activities and grant schemes.

For more information on the project visit: https://www.transportnottingham.com/projects/workplace-travel-service/

E-motion: Drive Electric Cornwall

Drive Electric Cornwall offered residents an opportunity to test drive and experience a range of electric vehicles. Residents were invited to find out more about electric vehicles from a range of industry experts and from businesses who had already transitioned to electric vehicles. There was also advice on choosing, buying and charging electric vehicles as well as guidance on grants and savings. The event formed part of the Drive EV2 Project which aims to improve Cornwall’s chargepoint infrastructure and increase the uptake of electric vehicles in the area. Another Drive Electric Cornwall event is planned for summer 2023.

Coventry City Council EV chargepoints

When awarded ORCS funding, Coventry City Council initiated a period of in-depth public consultation to provide charging infrastructure which met the needs of local communities. Coventry City Council met with residents’ associations and ward councillors and ran drop-in sessions with members of the public before finalising chargepoint locations. As a result of community consultation, the council avoided locating chargepoints in front of people’s houses which had been a key concern in discussions. The council also ensured that only residents of the zone could use the newly installed chargepoints.

Bristol Clean Air Zone

Bristol’s Clean Air Zone (CAZ) aims to reduce air pollution in the city to comply with air quality standards. A daily charge is applied to the most emitting vehicles for entering the CAZ. Bristol Council offers financial support to individuals and businesses with non-compliant vehicles to aid the transition to less polluting and zero emission vehicles.

Currently, priority for financial support is given to:

• Individuals with an income of less than £27,000/year
• Blue Badge holders
• Sole traders
• Charities
• Small businesses

There is also support available to enable the uptake of sustainable travel choices. Bristol Council offers free travel vouchers for buses, trains, e-scooters and car-clubs to encourage residents to try new ways of travelling.

Derwent Valley Community Car Club

Derwent Valley Car Club is an all-electric car club founded in 2013 with the help of a National Lottery grant. The club is operated by the local community association as a member led social enterprise.

Derwent Valley car club has three electric vehicles across multiple locations. To use the cars, residents must become a member of the club.

The car club provides an opportunity for local people to try out electric vehicles without purchasing one. It’s an affordable and convenient way of using a car without the hassle and expense of car ownership.

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