Green mobility Happy EV-er after With more than 50 per cent of the worlds population reportedly living in cities, we talk to Peter ODriscoll, managing director of RingGo, about the role of green mobility in the cities of the future What is the first step for cities in becoming more sustainable? Peter ODriscoll (POD): Electric vehicles (EVs) arguably represent the most significant and effective way cities can become sustainable. We are already seeing progress, with one in 10 new cars in the UK now electric, sales continuing to rise, and used EV sales more than doubling in 2022. Encouraging the switch is supported by the legal requirement for new homes and businesses to have an EV charger installed,1 and the new EV charging points regulation,2 which ensures smart functionality to help manage the increase in electricity demand. Given the need to act swiftly on climate change and end the sale of fossil fuels in the coming decades, this is a welcome step forward. Why should drivers switch? POD: As fuel prices continue to rise because of the cost-of-living crisis, EVs have the potential to save drivers money, as well as drive down harmful emissions. Its vital to encourage EV usage in metropolitan areas, where space is a commodity and in short supply. This is more important than ever when you consider the recent changes to EV charging points legislation,3 whereby charging points must now be preconfigured to be smart for the benefit of the user. With cities producing the majority of the worlds carbon emissions, there must be one eye on the goal to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in 2030, and for all cars to be fully zero emission at the tailpipe by 2035. Why are some drivers reluctant to go electric? POD: Many people believe we lack the technological infrastructure and EV charging network necessary for them to make the switch. Around 37 per cent of drivers believe there is a lack of fast charging points in their area; additionally, 35 per cent are deterred by the restrictions on range and the inability to complete long-distance journeys on a single charge.4 It is essential that we develop a national mobility infrastructure, such as an EV charging network, to combat these attitudes. Drivers should have the convenience of plug-pay-and-play options, combining parking with charging while they go about their business. To make this a reality, a streamlined digital system is required, allowing motorists to pay for parking and charging simultaneously. This is already available in Scandinavia, and needs to be a priority for the UK as we seek to mitigate climate change through cleaner transport. How can policy-makers begin to advance EV charging infrastructure in the UK? POD: An open market for parking would enable the development of a fully integrated and centralised hub for UK mobility. The hub 24 PN Sept 2022 pp24-25 RingGo.indd 24 22/08/2022 09:27