Agenda item

A presentation will be provided by Ms Janine White.

The Chairman welcomed Janine White who provided a presentation on the ‘On Street Residential Induction Charging’ (OSRIC) project, appended to the minutes.  Janine explained that it was an exciting project in Liston Street Car Park, Marlow and involved working with several partners.  Buckinghamshire Council had received funding from Char.gy to trial and install Wireless Electrical Induction Charging Pads.  One pad was to be installed in Marlow and would be the first trial to be carried out; it would last for nine months and would end on 31 March 2022.  The aim was to reduce the need for charging cables and enable users to hire and drive an electric vehicle (EV) without purchasing one.  The car park had been selected due to its demographical and geographical location.  It was an area where electric vehicle points were not yet installed and was considered an ideal area to test the market.  The electrical feed would be via an existing lighting column and the induction pad would fit neatly into the car park; the car charged when parked over the pad.  The launch day was planned for 2^nd August 2021 (tbc) and would include demonstrations. The process would be carried out via the ‘hiyacar’ app and a YouTube video hiyacar - how it works was available.

The following key points were raised in discussion:

• In response to being asked whether any vehicle could be charged on the pad; Janine replied that the pad could only be used on an induction car; the car would have a cable so could also be charged at an EV point.
• A member of the board asked whether other locations were being considered such as the High Street.  Janine advised that charging took a couple of hours, more to be fully charged, but agreed the suggestion of charging being available on the High Street was a good idea and the way forward to eradicate charging cables.
• Once charged, the car had a range of approximately 200 miles.  Three Renault Zoe cars will be available to hire in Buckinghamshire. One location being the Liston Road car park in Marlow. The other two locations in Buckinghamshire are still to be agreed.  
• It was confirmed that the car park was monitored by CCTV.  The user would also take photographs before and after hiring the vehicle.
• In response to a question on the expected uptake; Janine stated that she was hoping for a positive uptake and that the purpose of the trial was to gauge the demand.
• If the trial was unsuccessful, funding was available to decommission the project.
• The car could be booked in advance via the ‘hiyacar’ app.
• Janine confirmed that there was no financial risk to the Council and that there were no health risks to people or animals, should they happen to cross the induction pad.
• The electricity supply was unmetered and would be provided by SSE.
• Janine was invited, and agreed, to attend an Environmental Action Group meeting.

The Chairman thanked Janine for attending and it was agreed that an update would be provided to the Board next year.