The Geospatial Commission, an independent committee of experts that sits within the Cabinet Office, has published a report on how location data can improve the rollout of electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints across the UK.
The committee has also announced a project to improve access to demand modelling.
The body has said that the development of an EV charging network that works for everyone will rely on the effective use of location data, to ensure infrastructure is installed where it is needed.
The UK government has already committed to ending the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030; the commission suggests that the deployment of an effective EV charging network will be critical in supporting this and improved adoption of EVs.
To achieve this, the publication identifies how location data can help model future demand, select suitable sites, create a seamless consumer experience and track rollout.
To improve the use of location data, the Geospatial Commission intends to:
- Launch a feasibility study into how to widen access to demand modelling, to provide planners with data-driven evidence to identify which chargepoints need to go where and by when.
- Explore the creation of a geospatial dataset for off-street parking, to support planners to identify suitable sites for chargepoints and avoid wasted effort.
- Support the government to make chargepoint data more findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable (FAIR) and track how the data is being used commercially to create new services.
Jesse Norman, minister of state at the department for transport, said: “We want to ensure that the UK keeps its position as a world leader in decarbonising road transport.
“That is why the government is working to build an electric vehicle chargepoint network that works for everyone, everywhere.
“Location data is a crucial part in accelerating the transition to a sustainable transport system, and I look forward to working with the Geospatial Commission to realise our ambition for electric vehicles.”
