Forecasting future demand for electric vehicles (EV) in a town centre car park

SPEN and Warrington Borough Council - Long-term EV Charging Strategy

Public sector car parking is a key revenue stream for local authorities. It plays an important role in supporting local economies through the provision of vehicle access and provides access for people with mobility problems.

Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN) is working with a number of local authorities across the North West of England on the Charge Project, which identifies requirements for electric vehicle (EV) charging points across the region. As part of this initiative, we supported SPEN in their collaboration with Warrington Borough Council.

We delivered a detailed site assessment of Time Square car park in Warrington to assess long-term needs for EV charging infrastructure using our proprietary StratEV software. We developed a location-specific forecast of EV charging demand from now up to 2035 and also conducted an assessment of likelihood of charging, charging dwell time, and charger utilisation. Additionally, we calculated energy demand, recommended a mix of chargers, and determined potential revenue scenarios.

This assessment provided SPEN and the Council with evidence to support their town centre access strategy, reflecting the parking needed to support the local economy now and into the future.