[brian orr]

Wokingham DC has today announced the installation of 5 new Rapid Charger, which surely must make Wokingham an EV Mecca! I'm not sure that the siting is ideal; however, I did at least get a chance to discuss it and to offer EVDA guidance on signage and markings!
I'm also in touch with Reading DC and they will have a further announcement to make!
EV Matters is working on behalf of EVDA with the local councils to ensure the interests of EV owners and drivers are given full consideration!
See: http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/five-new-electric-car-charge-6989475

 

[jontracey]

Hmm not sure putting rapid chargers at the park and ride is a good idea, surely the point of park and ride is that you leave the car there for a period of time, blocking the rapid from other users

Are these going to be run by Chargemaster ?

 

[Paul]

Hmm not sure putting rapid chargers at the park and ride is a good idea, surely the point of park and ride is that you leave the car there for a period of time, blocking the rapid from other users

Are these going to be run by Chargemaster ?

That's nuts, its a shame the EVDA couldn't have pushed this and made a difference as they were and are apparently in discussions.

 

[planetf1]

I noted that in durham (belmont) the rapid charger was completely seperate from the P&R parking - indeed it was in the bus access section. Two benefits - a) clearly marked bay to ensure ppl only there for a charge b) accessible 24x7 whilst main car park gated/locked. So it *could* work if thought through - I can understand the benefits given it's council property, may have power, and likely to be near major roads.

But placing it where it could lead to people parking all day would be ludicrous.

 

[Ian]

Reading announced back last August that they are are installing five charge points, one of which, a fast charger, could be of use to me but it will be placed outside one of their leisure centers more than walking distance from the town centre. A coffee shop is available in the leisure centre but beyond the barriers for the members area. Membership is £30 a month! So really only usable to a member of the council's own leisure centre, not the general public at all unless you wish to spend a few hours sitting in a boring car park in the back end of beyond. Greenwash.

http://www.reading.gov.uk/pressreleases/2013/aug/electric-car-charing-points-coming-reading/

 

[brian orr]

Reading announced back last August that they are are installing five charge points, one of which, a fast charger, could be of use to me but it will be placed outside one of their leisure centers more than walking distance from the town centre. A coffee shop is available in the leisure centre but beyond the barriers for the members area. Membership is £30 a month! ////
http://www.reading.gov.uk/pressreleases/2013/aug/electric-car-charing-points-coming-reading/

You are right about the lousy locations and I was able to discuss the siting with them, several month's ago - but not change their views. They rather felt that the M4 Services + Wokingham's (Winnersh and A33 P&R) we're enough for visitors to the city. I did suggest installing some N of the river (Henley, or Oxford Roads) - but the lack of local authority sites apparently mitigated against those options.
Incidentally, we use Rivermead, when walking the towpath - and have no problem accessing the cafe. I think if you are not carrying sports kit then it's OK. All said - that cafe is 'the dogs'!

 

[Ian]

Councils need strong advice about charging BEFORE they make decisions. Counciler's minds are difficult to change once they have made a decision, I think it is part of a counciler's psyche and they have very different agendas to what they say in public or even in discussions.

With regard to Reading I suspect it is about the money. Chargers installed on council property, by council workmen invoicing the council for the work (chocolate dollars) maximises the council's income from the grant, not the benefit to the council tax payers. Follow the money.

 

[brian orr]

Councils need strong advice about charging BEFORE they make decisions. C///.

Absolutely agree - I'm looking to see if we can obtaining funding to write 'User Requirements for EV Charging.' That would cover siting, functionality, performance and reliability. Such a document who give the reference before decision making + a benchmark by which their installation could be verified.
The best we have a achieved, with councils, is a good listening to?

 

[Ian]

Just write the damn thing. Whoever gives the money will want a say and grind their axe. Or is this an EV Matters money maker? Follow the money, works every time.

Write a draft, put it up for comment, emend it, publish It through the LGA.

 

[cjm_2013]

Are these going to be run by Chargemaster ?

This has now become the default question anyone asks when a new rapid is announced. A few months ago it was all about the excitement of a new RC install opening up new routes; now it's all about who's running the new unit - collectively we're all hoping that chargemiser hasn't gotten their sticky mitts on it!

 

[Eunicholas]

This has now become the default question anyone asks when a new rapid is announced. A few months ago it was all about the excitement of a new RC install opening up new routes; now it's all about who's running the new unit - collectively we're all hoping that chargemiser hasn't gotten their sticky mitts on it!

Lol that's true and brain still has not said if he knows if they are CM

 

[GBEV]

As for Reading, Ian I note link is from 1st August 2013 has any of it happened yet?

"The Department of Transport has announced that Reading Borough Council will receive a grant of £127,500 to help to pay for five charging sites. The grant represents 75% of the cost and the Council will provide the remaining 25% from its Transport budgets or from sponsorship.

The Council is keen to work with partner organisations who can provide specialist technical expertise, support and funding for the project".

Blue good (compared to Milton Keynes), red bad as Chargemaster are probably now the only player in town.
I sincerely hope not though.

 

[GBEV]

Absolutely agree - I'm looking to see if we can obtaining funding to write 'User Requirements for EV Charging.' That would cover siting, functionality, performance and reliability. Such a document who give the reference before decision making + a benchmark by which their installation could be verified.
The best we have a achieved, with councils, is a good listening to?

Sounds good but are you sure it wasn't just a hearing? Listening requires non passive skills.

 

[Ian]

has any of it happened yet?

Nothing built yet and the person responsible (the only one who knows it seems) is on holiday until next week, of course.

 

[planetf1]

The obvious issue in all of these is that the councils are keen to work with skilled providers (that's a fair aim), but I don't see any EV drivers represented in this....

Maybe we all should take time out to write to our local councillors and just be sure they know there are users out there keen to help... I'm sure a lot happens due to lack of knowledge

I applaud the goals of the EVDA to assist in this, and would like to help, but have to admit I'm struggling with all the seeming political infighting right now.

 

[Paul]

If it helps you're welcome to name drop the site here as long as you don't sound like you run it, can help just to give a community / large network backing.

 

[Leafquester]

As for Reading, Ian I note link is from 1st August 2013 has any of it happened yet?

At the beginning of March I asked the council what progress had been made with the Reading Rapid Chargers.

Two weeks later I got the following reply

"Thank you for your message and apologies for my delay in responding.
The rapid charging points in Reading are due to be installed in the
summer, I am currently working with our appointed contractor to
understand exact timescales and can updated you when further details
have been finalised.
I hope this helps."

So still happening apparently, but who is the 'appointed contractor'?

I will try a follow-up, but don't hold your breath for a quick reply.

 

[GBEV]

At the beginning of March I asked the council what progress had been made with the Reading Rapid Chargers.

Two weeks later I got the following reply

"Thank you for your message and apologies for my delay in responding.
The rapid charging points in Reading are due to be installed in the
summer, I am currently working with our appointed contractor to
understand exact timescales and can updated you when further details
have been finalised.
I hope this helps."

So still happening apparently, but who is the 'appointed contractor'?

I will try a follow-up, but don't hold your breath for a quick reply.

As for who is the appointed contractor I think there is a clue here;
"The Council is keen to work with partner organisations who can provide specialist technical expertise, support and funding for the project".

 

[jontracey]

support and funding for the project".

Didn't the government already provide funding for the project. I wonder if they were quoted 84k for 4 power cables with fancy plugs on the end and realised they need more money.

 

[Ian]

I spoke to a very helpful chap at Reading Borough Council today. The charge points should be commissioned this summer. The installation contract is in the hands of SSE and the day to day running will be CYC.

He seems to understand the problems of an EV driver although he is not one.

I got the impression that the charge point siting is not yet fixed in stone and SSE are producing a report which will cover alternatives. It appears that the OLEV rules say rapid chargers must be accessible to the public but fast chargers may be restricted to council use only, to encourage public sector use, or open to all; council's choice. Public access to the fast chargers might vanish in the updated plan.

My thoughts that charging point access planning should also include consideration of what the drivers could do whilst charging, coffee, shopping, toilets, etc. were accepted. So we might see the two rapids in the town centre at a dedicated four place EV charging centre (Broad Street/Oxford Road for those that know it) Very visible to the public.