The Council has launched its latest Climate Conversation - Let’s Talk Electric Vehicles, and we need YOU the public to get involved in the new Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy and have your say on how we can all play a part in the ‘Climate Emergency.’
Already, hundreds of local residents and businesses have joined in our online ‘Let’s Talk Climate Change RCT’ conversation since it launched earlier this year. Many have also visited our Community Roadshows across the County Borough, giving their views on such things as how the Council can shape its ‘Green’ plans for the future, including the development of Electric Vehicle Charging across the County Borough.
Councillor Rhys Lewis, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, Well-being and Cultural Services, and also Chair of the Council’s Climate Committee, said: “Since the Climate Emergency was declared by Welsh Government, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has pledged to take urgent action to mitigate the risks of Climate Change.
“The Council recognises that fundamental changes are needed to the way we all live our lives, and, as such, has committed to becoming a Net Zero Local Authority by the target date of 2030.
The use of electric vehicles is increasing annually, with future projections indicating that around 8,000 EV’s will be owned by residents in Rhondda Cynon Taf by 2030.
“The Council recognises that it needs to lead the way in facilitating sustainable modes of transport and support its residents, businesses and visitors to the County Borough, who require suitable infrastructure to charge their vehicles in order to live their lives each day
“Not only is now the time to talk Climate Change, it is also the time to act. If you really do care about our beautiful Rhondda Cynon Taf, we encourage everyone to join us as we ‘Talk Climate Change RCT.’
“There are over 240,000 people living in Rhondda Cynon Taf and together we can all play our part in making a difference to the world in which we live.”
In November 2020, UK Government announced the phase-out of new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2030. In response to this, Welsh Government published the Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Strategy for Wales. The strategy proposes that by 2025, all car and van users in Wales will be confident they can access EV charging infrastructure when needed.
As such, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is launching its Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy, to outline several key principles that will empower the Council to advise, help and support individuals, or parties, that wish to make the switch from conventional vehicles to EVs.
The Strategy aims to set out why action is needed and to identify clear outcomes, to coordinate a County Borough wide approach, to promote and encourage the development of a robust and practical electric vehicle charging (EVC) network, whilst fostering a transition from petrol and diesel vehicles to electric vehicles as part of the Council’s wider sustainable transport goals.
The publication of the Strategy will be followed by an Implementation Plan, which will act as a road map to inform individuals and/or organisations of the appropriate route to take when installing EV infrastructure and provide best practice, practical guidance and relevant information regarding funding and legislation.
There were 1,086 Ultra Low Emission Vehicles licenced in Rhondda Cynon Taf at the end of the first quarter of the year. There are also currently 13 publicly available EV charging devices, of all speeds, within the County Borough. Future projections indicate that around 8,000 EV’s will be owned by Rhondda Cynon Taf motorists by 2030.
The Council’s Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy.
Join the Climate Conversation
Posted on 07/09/2021