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The Milton Keynes Electric Vehicle Experience Centre
Published on 22 July 2020
United Kingdom
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
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About this good practice
Milton Keynes received Government funds to become a Go Ultra Low City. Part of this was spent on developing the EV Experience Centre. The Centre fulfils aims of the Sustainability Strategy to encourage sustainable low carbon living and provides a regional hub for test driving a range of EV’s.
The Centre provides independent advice from well trained staff and offers test drives of up to a week of different makes and models of EV's. Having access to independent advice and being able to try before buying builds trust in the EV technologies and helps citizens make informed choices.
Hiring an EV for a week allows people to see if an EV is suitable for their daily living and lifestyle and provides confidence in a decision to switch to an electric car.
Milton Keynes has a network of over 400 charging points, many are being upgraded to faster charging rates. In March 2019 a universal rapid charging hub for EV’s was opened by Mayor at the Coach Station at the M1 Junction in Milton Keynes. This is operated by Chargemaster and includes eight 50kW rapid chargers.
Another incentive for using an electric vehicle is the free city centre parking with a green parking permit available for low emission vehicles.
Based on the package of benefits MK’s provided for EV drivers (and support for potential new drivers), the uptake of electric Vehicles in MK has been much higher than in other parts of the UK.
The Centre provides independent advice from well trained staff and offers test drives of up to a week of different makes and models of EV's. Having access to independent advice and being able to try before buying builds trust in the EV technologies and helps citizens make informed choices.
Hiring an EV for a week allows people to see if an EV is suitable for their daily living and lifestyle and provides confidence in a decision to switch to an electric car.
Milton Keynes has a network of over 400 charging points, many are being upgraded to faster charging rates. In March 2019 a universal rapid charging hub for EV’s was opened by Mayor at the Coach Station at the M1 Junction in Milton Keynes. This is operated by Chargemaster and includes eight 50kW rapid chargers.
Another incentive for using an electric vehicle is the free city centre parking with a green parking permit available for low emission vehicles.
Based on the package of benefits MK’s provided for EV drivers (and support for potential new drivers), the uptake of electric Vehicles in MK has been much higher than in other parts of the UK.
Expert opinion
E-mobility will be an essential solution for reaching our climate targets in transportation, particularly in personal transportation and daily use vehicles. E-vehicles, though, are not widely understood, with many believing them to be excessively expensive or of poor performance. This practice, enabling independent advice and vehicle trials is a strong example of education and market uptake support which could be replicated in other regions if sufficient resources can be mobilised and agreements can be struck with partner organisations. The broader framework, beyond the experience centre, can also provide inspiration, with the widespread roll-out of charging points and free parking for e-vehicles.
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
The Electric Vehicle Experience Centre required both capital and revenue to set up and run. In MK this was created with £500,000 GBP from a £9m GBP grant provided by central Government for MK to become a Go Ultra Low City.
Evidence of success
• Developing smart, shared sustainable mobility for a growing city
• Used by national media as a good source of independent information
and a way to try before you buy
• Successful partnerships with business and Government
• UK new car market fell 35% in June 2020, Battery EV sales rose by 262%
• Used by national media as a good source of independent information
and a way to try before you buy
• Successful partnerships with business and Government
• UK new car market fell 35% in June 2020, Battery EV sales rose by 262%
Potential for learning or transfer
Building the EV Experience Centre had four requisites:
1. Capital and revenue funding
Without funding from central government the EV Experience Centre would not have been possible. Milton Keynes Council provided the time of an EV expert to lead the project.
2. Partnership agreements with EV manufacturers
All EV producers were approached, not all agreed to join the initiative.
3. Staff need to be approachable and trained to have a broad technical understanding of EV engineering and EV market. The work force needs to be enthusiastic about EV’s and a willing commitment for continuing professional development.
4. Infrastructure to support EV’s
• Milton Keynes has over 400 public charging points and fast chargers
• Milton Keynes has the largest public charging facility at the Coachway Junction of the M1. The EV Hub has 9 x 50kW and 4 x 350kW chargers.
• Milton Keynes is opening 20,000 parking bays that will be free for Ultra Low EV’s
• EV’s will have use of all bus lanes in MK.
1. Capital and revenue funding
Without funding from central government the EV Experience Centre would not have been possible. Milton Keynes Council provided the time of an EV expert to lead the project.
2. Partnership agreements with EV manufacturers
All EV producers were approached, not all agreed to join the initiative.
3. Staff need to be approachable and trained to have a broad technical understanding of EV engineering and EV market. The work force needs to be enthusiastic about EV’s and a willing commitment for continuing professional development.
4. Infrastructure to support EV’s
• Milton Keynes has over 400 public charging points and fast chargers
• Milton Keynes has the largest public charging facility at the Coachway Junction of the M1. The EV Hub has 9 x 50kW and 4 x 350kW chargers.
• Milton Keynes is opening 20,000 parking bays that will be free for Ultra Low EV’s
• EV’s will have use of all bus lanes in MK.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Milton Keynes Council
United Kingdom
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Contact
Project Manager