Electric vehicles

In Dacorum, transport is responsible for around 45 per cent of the borough’s greenhouse gas emissions, with cars responsible for a third of emissions. To help tackle the climate emergency, reducing car use and increasing active travel (such as walking and cycling) will be crucial in order to lower our emissions and meet our net-zero targets.

Electric vehicles have zero tailpipe emissions, making them better not only for reducing emissions, but for improving our local air quality, too. According to figures from the National Grid, zero-carbon sources provided 51 per cent of electricity used in 2023. This is up from 40 per cent in 2022 and 35 per cent in 2021. Another key benefit for owners is the savings on fuel and running costs. The sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles will be banned from 2035.

One of the key challenges for transitioning to electric vehicles is the availability of charging infrastructure. Whilst many residents will be able to charge their electric vehicles from home, this option is not available for over a third of Dacorum's households.

Electric vehicle strategy

In order to support the transition to electric vehicles in Dacorum, we have developed an  Electric Vehicle Strategy (PDF 2MB). The document outlines key background information, the scale of the challenge in Dacorum, and provides an overview of the direct and indirect action we will be taking moving forwards. Please note: This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. Read an accessible, HTML summary of the strategy. If you require the full version of this document in a more accessible format, please email climate.action@dacorum.gov.uk and tell us what format you need.

Finding a charge point

Zap-Map is the most comprehensive electric vehicle charging point map in the UK - use its website or app to quickly and easily find a charge point near you.

Each point on the map includes the types of plugs available, how to pay, and how to report a fault. The map shows charging points in public or business car parks, petrol stations and on-street parking bays. Check for maximum stay limits or additional parking fees.

If you would like to support other electric vehicle owners by sharing your home or business charging point, you can add it to Zap-Map's peer-to-peer networks: Zap-Home and Zap-Work.

The Zap-Map website also has a range of helpful charging guides, electric vehicle guides, calculators, statistics and route-planning tools.

If you find it difficult to access a charge point, you can add the first part of your postcode on Hertfordshire County Council's electric vehicle charging page and it will include your location in its EV mapping data when considering future on-street sites. Simply scroll down to the 'On-street charging points' section of the page.

Electric vehicles residents’ survey

We launched an electric vehicles residents’ survey in 2021 to collect your views about electric vehicles. It remained open for two years so that we could collect as many responses as possible. The survey has now closed and we'd like to say thank you to all those that took part.

We're now analysing responses and have shared the information with Hertfordshire County Council, which is developing its Electric Vehicle Strategy and planning for more charge points across the borough to meet residents' needs.

Funding and support

There are two key grants available to support you with the transition to electric vehicles: 

• Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant - 75 per cent (up to £350) off the cost of buying and installing a charge point at your home. Available to landlords and flat-owners only.
• Workplace Charging Scheme - £350 per socket, for up to 40 charge points for your employees or fleet. Businesses, charities and public sector organisations are all eligible for this funding.

The plug-in vehicle grant should be automatically applied by your dealer for eligible vehicles. If you buy or lease an electric vehicle, check whether the list price includes this discount.

The Energy Saving Trust has a range of electric vehicle advice available. WWF explain how you can charge with renewable energy.

Hertfordshire County Council 

Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) is the Local Transport Authority and has responsibility for the development of the Local Transport Plan 2018-2031. HCC is currently working on developing its own electric vehicle strategy and, in the meantime, provides information regarding its progress and position on electric vehicles on its electric vehicle page.