Hopes that North Solihull’s electric car club could return

An electric car club in North Solihull – abandoned months after launch because of “mindless” vandalism – could be resurrected.

It was revealed earlier this year that E-Car Club had pulled out of the pilot project, after its fleet of 18 eco-friendly vehicles suffered “exceptional damage”.

The abrupt end of the initiative – which hired out hatchbacks for as little as £3.50 an hour – was a major blow for the local community.

Now, however, the council is holding talks with a new provider about the prospect of getting a similar scheme back up-and-running in the area.

Councillors have been told that a meeting with the company, to discuss possible options, would be held this week.

Speaking at a scrutiny board, Tom Layzell, growth policy officer, said: “It’s certainly something that we’re looking at.”

Cllr Marcus Brain (Lab, Kingshurst & Fordbridge) had asked what steps would be taken to prevent similar problems “happening again”, given the extensive damage done following the previous launch last December.

Cllr Andy Mackiewicz, cabinet member for climate change, planning and housing, said lessons would need to be learned and suggested efforts could be made to increase security.

“The nine charging points are now ours, we own them, so we know there’s no plans to remove them,” he said.

“So that makes it easier for a second [company] to come in, because they don’t have to put in that infrastructure.”

He added that there could be options to install more CCTV and also encourage a sense of “ownership” among the local community.

Mr Layzell had argued the eye-catching design of the vehicles – some of which had distinctive paint jobs – may also have been a problem.

“They were quite brightly-coloured, the vehicles, and maybe if they blended in a bit more they might be a bit less of a target.”

It is hoped a revived club could help promote electric car use in more deprived parts of the borough, amid concern that it was easier for better-off residents to make the switch to the new technology.

Cllr Max McLoughlin (Green, Shirley South) said: “My concern is that we end up subsidising those who are in a very privileged position to afford an electric vehicle, and end up penalising those who maybe don’t have the means.”

The update on the car club was part of a wider discussion on the council’s strategy to encourage the use of electric vehicles, as part of efforts to reduce pollution.

While the scrutiny board welcomed proposals, several members felt the council needed to be more ambitious and make sure it “led by example.”

Their suggestions included:

* Putting pressure on companies awarded “multi-million pound council contracts” to use electric vehicles.

* Ensuring the thousands of new homes planned were fitted with the proper charging facilities, to avoid the infrastructure having to be “retrofitted”.

* Being aware that it was a fast-changing industry and ensuring that any policies didn’t quickly become obsolete.

* Taking steps to prevent charging points causing problems for pedestrians.

* Looking at options to invite Jaguar Land Rover and other “expert” speakers to give evidence to the board.

Read more: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/solihull-electric-car-scheme-resurrected-16909266