Key Findings

Networks of Electric Vehicle chargepoints are expanding at pace as the provision of infrastructure gears up to serve the growing proportion of the car stock that is electrically driven. Operational data is starting to become available from these networks, which hold records on each user interaction. This data can be used for a host of purposes from understanding who is using the network, which sites are proving popular, the impact of the network on local power distribution, and the economic value of the network. This report delivers a spatial-temporal assessment of usage patterns on the network present in Greater Manchester for 2018 – 19.

Network operation is depicted in the four charts above, showcasing (from top-left to bottom-right) the layout of the network in the wider region, the daily power demand through the study period, the average power demand by hour-of-the-day, and the carbon emissions attributable to network power demand. From the analysis, a few broad findings can be put forward:

• The network has experienced growth in terms of power demand through 2019, driven in part by more registered users
• Seasonality trends are present, with network use being subdued during the summer months
• The biggest user group are single-use, indicating that the network is serving drivers that are travelling through the region
• Periods are present in the afternoon when occupancy levels of vehicle on the network are above power consumption, indicating potential for smart-charging and vehicle-to-grid activities
• Network power demand generally coincides with when fossil fuel generation is active, though periods are present when power demand is associated with much lower grid emissions