THE county council has been slammed for a “lack of ambition” around electric vehicle charging.

Plans to invest £3.5 million in Worcestershire’s network of chargers were unveiled earlier in the year.

But city council leader Lynn Denham said there are flaws in the county’s draft Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy.

Cllr Denham, who is also a county councillor, said: “As a longstanding EV owner, I am disappointed by Worcestershire County Council’s lack of ambition.

ELECTRIC: Cllr Denham says a lot of Worcester residents want to get EVs but are put off by perceived or actual obstacles to chargingELECTRIC: Cllr Denham says a lot of Worcester residents want to get EVs but are put off by perceived or actual obstacles to charging (Image: Submitted)

“The legislation relied on has been in place for many years. Other councils have already delivered public charging networks.

“We had our first EV in 2016 with a relatively small range and when charging infrastructure was much more limited. Nevertheless we undertook many long journeys in the UK.

“The draft strategy doesn’t reflect the difference in approach and behaviour between EV motorists and drivers of petrol or diesel vehicles.

“There is also no assessment of the place for different speed chargers. A rapid charge point can fill most EVs adequately in 30 minutes, which is very different to a slow overnight charge point.”

READ MORE: Council's plan to invest £3.5m in electric vehicle chargers

READ MORE: Electric vehicle charging plan 'doesn't work for Worcester'

Cllr Denham said many Worcester residents want to get an electric vehicle but are “put off by perceived or actual obstacles to charging”.

“The draft strategy doesn’t address this PR or practical challenge,” she added.

The Labour councillor also questioned why light goods vehicles are excluded from the strategy and asked: “Why is the option of properly fitted cable gullies excluded? The county council allows many other utilities to mess up our pavements in order to install wifi, cable TV, other electric cables, water, sewage pipes, gas etc. Why is EV charging different?”

“The strategy misses the opportunity to show leadership and support to all businesses in the transition to EV.

“This should be part of a wider strategy for economic development and net zero. Public charging points are important to all EV drivers. The purpose of a vehicle is to travel, not to stay at home close to your driveway and home charge point.”

A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: “Our Phase 1 Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (EVCI) Strategy aims to secure Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) funding for the large-scale installation of low-powered, publicly accessible chargepoints on footways, with other solutions falling outside LEVI's scope.

"LEVI funding supports local authorities to plan and deliver charging infrastructure for residents without off-street parking and is very specific in what it can be used for.

"While cross-channel pavement solutions, such as cable gullies, are not currently included, we will be reviewing trials by other councils, as well as  tracking technological advancements for future opportunities.

"Our EV infrastructure planning includes Light Goods Vehicles (LGVs), and LEVI-funded chargepoints will be available to all EV users, including visitors, tourists, commuters, and commercial vehicles.

"We are also working with Midlands Connect to identify suitable locations for rapid chargepoints that align with funding requirements.”