Context

5.48 Ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) use electric and other new power sources and produce no exhaust fumes or engine noise. Whilst still only accounting for about 8% of the cars on the road in 2020, electric car (EV) sales increased by 186%. The growth of the EV market is expected to accelerate as the UK prepares for the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel vehicle sales.

5.49 Portishead has a higher than national average car ownership level where only 13% of households do not own a car55. Cars are convenient and often essential to people in our community and whilst we need to significantly reduce overall usage, they are likely to remain a significant part of Portishead’s transport system for the foreseeable future. But within the lifetime of the Neighbourhood Plan nearly all cars are likely to be replaced. This presents an opportunity to fast-track Portishead’s conversion to ultra-low emission vehicles.

5.50 Using a combination of local policy and community actions, we aim to make choosing to use an ultra-low emission vehicle feasible, attractive and the norm in Portishead, and preferred over internal combustion alternatives. This will be achieved through a combination of local community actions, working alongside North Somerset planning and transport policies, building regulations, and NDP policy PPT3. The Neighbourhood Plan requires new development to provide for charging of ultra-low emission vehicles and be future proofed to accommodate changing technology. The Town Council will also work with North Somerset Council and local businesses to install public facilities to enable charging.

5.51 ULEVs alone cannot address all transport-related issues in Portishead. Issues such as affordability, congestion and wider environmental impacts remain. North Somerset Council’s emerging policy prioritises all other modes of transport above the private vehicle, whether powered by internal combustion or other low emission methods. This reflects the approach in the Transport Hierarchy.

5.52 ULEVs therefore, are just one piece of the puzzle in addressing the wider challenges of transport and transport infrastructure and must be implemented alongside improvements to the public transport and active travel networks addressed elsewhere in this Plan and within emerging North Somerset policy. Notwithstanding this, ULEVs can effectively address the transport needs of those who may not be in a position to utilise active or public transport alternatives due to health or timetabling constraints in a way that minimises the local environmental impact.

Relevant Objective

O13 To deliver an integrated, sustainable, accessible and inclusive transport network that encourages active travel and reduces congestion within Portishead.

Local Policy Context

• CS1 Addressing climate change and carbon reduction

POLICY PPT3 – SUPPORTING THE SHIFT TO ULTRA-LOW EMISSION VEHICLES

To future proof new development and to ensure that sufficient electric vehicle parking provision and infrastructure is provided in both public and private parking areas, development proposals will only be supported where they conform with The North Somerset Council, Revised Parking Standards SPD (2021), (Principle 19; Electric Vehicle Parking)

Additional Public e-vehicle Charging Points

To increase the attractiveness and use of ultra-low emission vehicles, additional infrastructure for low emission vehicle charging is encouraged at public parking locations where space allows, particularly at the following destinations and locations:

• Esplanade Road car park
• Parking facilities at the Folk Hall
• Avon Way car park