Three local authorities receive funding for depot electrification studies
The Midlands Net Zero Hub is supporting three local authorities in the region to decarbonise their depots. Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council, West Lindsey District Council, and a partnership between Worcester City Council and Worcestershire County Council each successfully bid for £25,000 grant funding from the Hub for studies into depot electrification projects.
The scope and specification of the studies will be defined by each council to enable the outputs to be tailored to the specific requirements of the authority. The scope may range from techno-economic feasibility study to full business case but will, as a minimum:
- Assess the feasibility of upgrading an existing depot site.
- Provide an outline design of electrical and civil works required including drawings.
- Contain well-developed costings.
- Contain clear estimates of timescales involved.
- Provide a detailed assessment of the risks associated with developing your electric depot site.
The funding competition was launched after the publication of the Electrification of Council Depots Guide which aims to help local authorities navigate these complex projects as they work towards their climate goals.
Included in the guide is a step-by-step process for delivering depot infrastructure through scoping the project, concept design, and commercial considerations. The guide is available to download from the Midlands Net Zero Hub website.
Sharing learnings was a key piece of the application, so the Hub will support further local authorities by creating case studies and disseminating learnings from the three successful projects.
Jack Hayhoe, Net Zero Project Manager, said: “We are delighted to be supporting three local authorities in the region to progress their depot electrification projects. As we transition from fossil-fuelled vehicles owned by the public, it is vital that public sector organisations also decarbonise their fleets. Many local authorities in the Midlands are at the forefront of this effort to eliminate emissions from their fleets with ambitious climate goals to be net zero by 2030.
“Depot electrification projects are complex, technical projects, which is why we created the Electrification of Council Depots Guide to help local authorities design and procure depot-scale EV charging infrastructure. We are looking forward to working with Walsall, West Lindsey, and Wolverhampton councils to make their net zero projects happen.”
To keep up to date with the projects as they progress by following Midlands Net Zero Hub on LinkedIn.
