Have your say on electric vehicles to help shape county council policy

Drivers are being asked to help deliver a network of electric vehicle (EV) charging points across Devon by revealing their driving habits and attitudes towards the eco-friendly cars in an online questionnaire.

Devon County Council is working with district councils and the private sector on two projects which aims to deliver more than a 100 EV charging points across Devon.

The council has now launched three online questionnaires, each one targeted to a specific group, to gauge the public's attitudes towards EV.

Drivers are asked to choose a questionnaire that best describes their current circumstances – electric vehicle owner, a taxi driver or non-electric vehicle owner.

The questions are wide-ranging and include driving habits, where people store their vehicles, mileage, what they drive, engine size and if they would consider buying an electric vehicle.

The answers will help identify potential demand and locations for charge points and numbers and types of charge points. They will also form the basis of a funding bid for a third EV scheme.

The surveys are part of the Deletti programme which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council's Cabinet member for Highways Management, said: "We fully support the region's move to EV as part of our transition to low carbon.

"EVs can be charged from renewable sources and when combined with vehicle sharing initiatives, such as car clubs, can deliver substantial carbon reductions. They also help to reduce the level of pollutants in the air which is even more important in urban areas.

"We know many people want to exchange their petrol car for a more sustainable electric car, but because of a lack of infrastructure they have been unwilling to take that step.

"We are committed to delivering charging points across the county but given Devon's size we need to ensure that these charging points are where people want them and where they are accessible.

"That's why we need your help to help us build a picture of what the demand will be and where."

For electric vehicle users, click here to go to the questionnaire 

For non-electric vehicle users, click here to go to the questionnaire