Carmarthenshire County Council’s Electric Cars

Carmarthenshire: 1 of 22 Local Authorities in Wales Located in South West Wales 3rd Largest County in Wales by Geographical Area (2,395km2) 4th Most Populated County In Wales (183,800) Road Network Of 3,474km

Population Figures of Principle Localities In Carmarthenshire

Funded by the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Travel Centres Initiative

Background •

Welsh Government commitments in the WTS (Welsh Transport Strategy) & NTP (National Transport Plan).

•

The sustainable travel centres deliver a range of measures that encourage people to consider using alternatives to the car – such as walking, cycling and public transport.

•

Funding made available for measures to: – – – – – – –

•

CO2 reduction modal shift reduced congestion Local Air Quality Higher quality public transport Improved access to key services Healthier lifestyles

Aim to build on the lessons learned in each town to identify the most effective measures for potential adoption elsewhere.

How did Carmarthen get involved? • Bidding process to WG via Regional Transport Consortia • As a result a Carmarthen – Haverfordwest scheme was successful • Only 4 schemes in Wales

(Cardiff, Mon a Menai & Aberystwyth

are the other 3)

• £500k in 2010/11, £500k in 2011/12 and a further £300k in 2012/13

Measures include • • • • • • • • • • • •

Integrated Rail and Bus information screens Carmarthen Bus Station Bus Waiting Improvements New electronic information systems at Carmarthen Bus Station Carmarthen Park & Ride Cycle Storage Facilities Signage for Carmarthen Town walking & cycle routes Morfa Farm Cycle Route Bwcabus… The New Transportation Model for Rural Wales Hywel Dda Non-Emergency Patient Transport Pilot Reductions in fleet fuel use (Magnaflo) Staff Travel Plan - reductions in staff mileage and use of pool cars

Staff Travel Plan • Carmarthenshire CC Employees over 9,000 staff • Staff are based at various location around the county • Travelling is a requirement in the County for employees

23 Miles 17 Miles

27 Miles

15 Miles Carmarthen

15 Miles 18 Miles

10 Miles 16 Miles

Staff Travel Plan - reductions in staff mileage and use of pool cars

Employees Affected by Pilot: Around 140 Members of Staff based at Parc Myrddin Sections Include • Archives • Engineering Design • Parking Services • Passenger Transport • Policy & Performance • Property Design • Property Compliance • Road Safety Education • Traffic Management • Transport Strategy & Implementation

Mileage Claims (Miles) Pool Car Mileage

152553

Employee Mileage Claims

87651

Mileage Claims Decrease Pool Car Mileage Increase Net Saving

64,902 24,444 40,458

87966

63522 Oct 2009 - Sep 2010

Oct 2010 - Sep 2011

Cost of Mileage Fuel Cost

Cost of Employee Mileage Claims

Mileage Claims Cost Decrease £34,353.53 Pool Car Fuel Cost Increase £2,995.66 Net Saving £30,647.92 £83,070.01 £48,716.48

£6,529.68

£9,525.34

Oct 2009 - Sep 2010

Oct 2010 - Sep 2011

Where does the Electric Car fit in?

Innovative Solutions • Carmarthenshire CC has been exploring solutions to the economic, environmental and social challenges to which we all face. • In particular transport energy consumption and its associated emissions pose a significant challenge for our towns and region in general which links to the WG’s STC. • Therefore CCC – First authority in Wales to introduce electric vehicles into its fleet in April 2011. • 2 Mitsubishi i-Mievs funded by the WG STC Grant were introduced to the Pool Car Pilot Scheme at Parc Myrddin. • Introduction is part of CCC’s Wider environment and transport strategy for sustainable travel.

Why the Mitsubishi i-Miev? • This model was launched in Japan in 2009 • First pure-electric vehicle available to the World markets in regular series production from a major manufacture • Lowest priced mass-produced pure EV available in the UK • Range of 93 Miles • Charge from flat to full in approx 7 hrs (80% in 30mins) at a typical cost of £2.91 • GreenFleet awards Electric Car of the Year 2009 & 2010 • 4* NCAP Safety Award • Emits approx 30% less CO2 than a petrol city car • Cost per mile to drive is less than 6% compared to petrol vehicle • Zero road tax

Implementation & Performance From April 2011 to September 2014

• 136 Current Employees have undertaken a Driver Assessment • Both Electric Cars have clocked 39,146 miles between them • Longest Journey Recorded Without charging = 70 Miles

(18th Aug 2014)

• Estimated Cost per mile to run: Electric Car i-Miev costs 5p* per mile

(*Based on council Tariff of £2.44 to fully charge a battery that can complete 50 miles on a full charge)

Compared to a 1.3T Diesel Vauxhall Astra at 10p

(Actual figures for fuelling vehicle during the period of May 2013 to Jan 2014)

• CO2 emission for 39,146 miles calculates at: 5,580kg for an i-Miev with no localised pollution Compared to 6,552kg for a 1.3T Diesel Vauxhall Astra

Additional Purchase of EV’s 4 New Peugeot iOns have been purchased in the last year of funding 2012-13 From • • •

May 2013 2 are now additions to the Pool Car Pilot at Parc Myrddin 1 has been located with Education & Children Service on another site 1 now located with the Chief Executives Department on another site

Journeys Completed Apr 2011 – Sept 2014 Total Journeys Completed 1400 1200 1000

1224 1110 1042

1059

1079 917

800

876

872

600 400 375

350

E3

E4

200 0 D1

D2

D3

D4

D5

D6

Vehicle

E1

E2

No of Journeys Completed Apr 2011 – Sep 2014 1 to 20 Miles

21 to 40 Miles

500 400

409

430

300 270

200

226

196

180

175

191

100

131

138

E3

E4

0 D1

D2

D3

D4

D5

D6

E1

E2

450 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0

413 357

332

320

307

318

262 170

D1

D2

D3

D4

D5

D6

E1

E2

148

E3

E4

More than 60 Miles

41 to 60 Miles 350

300 330

300 250

328

326 295

284

250

301

300

200

200

261 205

271 247

211

150

150

100

142

100

163

116

50

74

64

50 5

8

0

0

E1

E2

E3

E4

0

0 D1

D2

D3

D4

D5

D6

E1

E2

E3

E4

D1

D2

D3

D4

D5

D6

Total Mileage by Pool Vehicle per Financial Year (April - March) 18000

16000

14000

Miles

12000

10000

2011/12 2012/13

8000

2013/14 2014/15

6000

4000

2000

0 D1

D2

D3

D4

D5

D6 Vehicle

E1

E2

E3

E4

Utilization Based on Availability From April 2011 - Sept 2014

91%

92%

91%

89%

91% 87%

84%

D1

D2

D3

D4

D5

D6

78%

79%

E1

E2

E3

84%

E4

Utilization Based on Availability From April 2013 - Sept 2014

91%

90%

91% 87% 83%

D1

D2

D3

D4

D5

87% 83%

83%

83%

D6

E1

E2

84%

E3

E4

EV's Daily Average Mileage & Utilisation % % Utilisation

33

95%

31

90%

29

85%

27

80%

25

75%

23

70%

21

65%

19

60%

17

55%

15

50%

Quarter

% Utilisation

Average Mileage

Daily Average Mileage

Employees who have used Pool Cars per Quarter 90 80 Diesel

No of Employees

70 60 Electric 50 40 Choose Not to Use an EV but could have

30 20 10 0 2011/122011/12 2011/12 2011/12 2012/13 2012/132012/13 2012/13 2013/14 2013/142013/14 2013/14 2014/15 2014/15 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2

Quarter

Top 15 Most No of Journeys Undertaken by Employees Apr 2011 – Sep 2014 Employee

Diesel

Electric

Total

Electric Car Take Up %

Under 50 Miles in a Diesel Car

% that could have been done in an EV

E001 E002 E003 E004 E005 E006 E007 E008 E009 E010 E011 E012 E013 E014 E015

771 360 238 384 212 255 210 150 129 98 196 150 145 182 155

73 177 181 2 161 26 61 107 94 124 3 46 50 7 27

844 537 419 386 373 281 271 257 223 222 199 196 195 189 182

9% 33% 43% 1% 43% 9% 23% 42% 42% 56% 2% 23% 26% 4% 15%

537 131 161 184 164 135 163 116 94 50 109 78 88 74 87

64% 24% 38% 48% 44% 48% 60% 45% 42% 23% 55% 40% 45% 39% 48%

The Trend shows there is obviously an issue with some employees that do not favour using Electric Cars

A Questionnaire was circulated to substantiate the practical daily requirements for why they use certain vehicles. Here are some comments that relate to Electric Vehicles:

Battery issues and Range:

‘The battery must last the lifetime stated and not dwindle over the years as with most other rechargeable batteries.’ ‘Electric Cars are still too expensive and they take too long to charge up. A whole new approach should be adopted whereby when purchasing the car, the battery should be hired which would cut the purchase price.’ ‘More Journey Planning is required when using an electric car due to the limited performance capabilities and lack of charging points.’ ‘They are highly overpriced for what they are. Their range isn’t good enough but I feel that this is due to current battery technology. I believe the way forward is for the battery to become part of the car structure.’

Relating to Conveyance and Practicality:

‘Only a Van or an Estate are suitable for delivering packs due to the volume.’ ‘I only use pool cars for carrying a large amount of equipment and for deliveries at the moment. An Electric car wouldn't always be practical due to multiple locations being booked in one day, and large items being carried.’ ‘The other vehicles i.e. Electric Cars, would not fit the equipment I need to carry.’ ‘It depends on the amount of equipment I need to carry, and the locations of my schools. Multiple locations in one day would mean that the Electric cars are not suitable for the journeys…although I love driving them!’

Other Negatives not Substantiated:

‘They have an Automatic Gearbox.’ ‘In most cases, when closing a country road, I need to check that other alternative routes are available, and I've found out through experience that I need a higher seated car to use country roads - i.e. see over hedges and to drive unclassified farm roads.’ ‘The high driving position and ground clearance of the cross over vehicles are preferred for site visits and I only use the electric car if going to a meeting if its within range.’ ‘Electric car OK for short journeys, but really only within say 5-6 mile radius.’ ‘The size and look of most electric cars is off-putting. They look like Noddy Cars and I have my image to think about when meeting clients/contractors.’

Positives:

‘I will sometimes use my own Blue motion Golf if there are only 4x4's available. Given their poorer fuel efficiency & higher CO2 emissions I feel more should be done to discourage use of 4 x 4's for routine journeys.’ ‘I only require limited use of the pool cars. A smaller car would suit my needs as I do not carry equipment. I have picked up passengers for some journeys and I'm not sure the electric car would be suitable for travelling to Glanamman when there are four in the car. However, I have travelled to Glanamman on my own with plenty of spare battery capacity on my return. A medium sized hybrid car might be a good option as a pool car.’ ‘My Experience of using the electric cars on a couple of journeys was very good. On one occasion I travelled 58 miles on a round trip during the summer and found there to be ample battery capacity.’

Which employees are most likely to use the Electric Cars? • Management – Usually because they implement the policies • Non Front Line Employees • Engineering Design – usually due to no other vehicle available • Male Employees between the age group of 25 and 45

Which employees are most likely to avoid the use of Electric Cars? • Employees who need to convey equipment or deliver goods. • Male Employees over the age of 45. • Traffic Management Officers. • Female Employees in general, but there are exceptions. • Employees who have had one bad experience - e.g. Run out of Charge whilst driving.

How can we improve perception of Electric Cars just within Carmarthenshire? • Education / More Publicity • Improve Battery Capacity • Install Fast Charge Units across the County at Strategic Points • Implement Stricter controls on the use to which car they will be given? • Some are set in there ways and will never change!

Frequency by Type of Comments Made Not Safe due to EV's are silent Not practical for some working constraints e.g. conveying equipment Mining Battery Materials not Environmentally Friendly Impracticality of owning one Ideal for a 2nd / Commuting Household Car Highly Overpriced / Expensive Discourage use of larger vehicles - EV's should be priority Chassis Size & Appearance a negative Battery Range / Range Anxiety Battery Life / Battery Hire Option to cut down purchasing cost Battery Charging time takes to long Automatic Transmission 0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Other Day to Day Issues • Vehicle Range of 93 miles not achievable in Rural Counties such as Carmarthenshire. Realistic Range is about 60 Miles. • Battery reliability is affected in Cold conditions and range has dropped to about 50 Miles. • Using Motorways or Dual Carriageways are not efficient routes. • Employees have not reconnected the charging unit correctly – therefore vehicle is not fully recharged by next use.

• Provision of Charging Area is recommended to be clean and sheltered.

Positive Conclusions: • They are viable in Rural Areas with Travel Planning. • They positively supplement an existing Fleet. • Reduce Pollution, especially localised. • They can reduce cost with a long term investment. • With Technology improvements in Battery longevity and Charging Infrastructure, utilisation can be increased. • Employees are introduced to the electric car in practical terms, who may never have experienced them otherwise.

What has Carmarthenshire CC implemented and planned for the future? • Driver Eco Training Pilot. • Expanding the Charging Infrastructure available to other sites in County.

2 Rapid Chargers are scheduled to be installed in the near future at:

Parc Myrddin, Carmarthen Parc Amanwy, Ammanford And we will be looking into further funding and Sharing opportunities

Thank You

Neal Thomas Business Support Officer Transport & Engineering Division e-mail:[email protected]