EV Charging Infrastructure in the UK: Understanding Trip Generation

Written by Amy Woolston

TRICS has recently published a research study examining how GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourts operate, offering some useful insights into trip generation within EV charging infrastructure in the UK, and the implications for transport planning.

Examining how electric forecourts operate

The study examined four Electric Forecourts across the UK, analysing vehicle movements, charging activity, journey purpose, dwell times and the charging technologies available at each site.

One particularly interesting finding was the considerable variation in both the level and pattern of activity recorded across the four sites. Peak activity occurred at different times of the day, ranging from morning through to evening, highlighting the importance of understanding individual site characteristics when assessing trip generation.

The research also identified an average charging dwell time of around 34 minutes, with higher-powered chargers generally associated with shorter stays and greater vehicle turnover.

What does this mean for transport planners?

As UK EV charging infrastructure continues to expand, establishing appropriate trip generation assumptions for these developments remains an important consideration.

The findings highlight that the number of charging bays alone does not necessarily provide a complete picture of anticipated vehicle movements. Site location, charging technology, ancillary facilities and the relationship with the surrounding highway network can all influence how these developments operate.

Looking beyond charging bay numbers

From our own experience assessing EV charging developments, one of the key challenges is distinguishing between genuinely new trips to the highway network and existing traffic diverting to use the facilities.

Understanding this distinction, alongside the potential impacts on the local highway network, is essential when developing a robust transport assessment.

Research like this provides valuable additional evidence to inform trip generation assumptions but also reinforces the importance of taking a site-specific
approach.

Building the evidence base for UK EV charging infrastructure

While the study is based on four sites, it represents a welcome addition to the evidence available for this evolving land use and provides a useful reference point for those involved in the planning and assessment of EV charging infrastructure.

Read the full TRICS report here: https://lnkd.in/emr5i9MF