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Coventry University project to overcome EV charging barriers

Coventry University is set to lead efforts in accelerating the city’s electric vehicle (EV) transition as part of Levelling Up Coventry’s EV Adoption Journey, a project targeting residents who lack driveway access and face barriers to home charging.

EV car

Nearly half of Coventry households fall into this category, making it a critical area of focus for increasing EV adoption.

Backed by Department for Transport funding

Selected as one of seven winners of the Transport Decarbonisation Demonstrator competition, the project brings a share of £1.6 million in grant funding from the Department for Transport.

Led by Doublemsc Solutions Limited, and supported by Coventry University and Coventry City Council, the project will assess the current EV infrastructure to promote the practical benefits of EVs for Coventry’s residents.

Developing innovative, flexible charging solutions

Coventry University’s Centre for Future Transport and Cities aims to create an adaptable model to support the city’s low-carbon transition.

Professor Stewart Birrell, professor of human factors for future transport at the university’s National Transport Design Centre, noted: “Here within the Research Centre for Future Transport Cities we are delighted to be working on this exciting project bringing flexible EV charging to the people of Coventry.

“Our research will bring our human centred design expertise to help design a usable and desirable mobile battery innovation – an EV charging solution named ENSTOREL, but also understand through modelling the existing charging network where gaps exist for changing needs in Coventry.”

Building community benefits beyond decarbonisation

The Transport Decarbonisation Demonstrator competition, funded by the Department for Transport and delivered by Innovate UK, aims to support the UK’s journey toward a low-carbon future with added community benefits.

“Mike Biddle, executive director net zero at Innovate UK, stated: “By looking at decarbonisation through a place-based lens it is hoped that these projects will bring wider benefits above and beyond transport decarbonisation such as the improved health of residents through better access to active travel modes, a greater sense of community created by schemes or a decrease in congestion levels due to fewer private vehicles on the road.

“We’re looking forward to the project completion next year and seeing the impact.”

Image: Coventry University