Summary
Who we engaged with
The vast majority were responding to the consultation as a resident of Portsmouth (90%). 4% are Portsmouth visitors and 3% work in Portsmouth. The main vehicle used by most respondents is not electric or plug in (69%), whilst 22% mainly use an electric/plug in vehicle. 9% do not have regular use of a motor vehicle
Draft objectives
Almost two thirds of respondents agree that the draft objectives are the right ones (64%), and 21% disagree. Objective 1 received the highest level of disagreement (18%), followed by objective 2 (13%), and objectives 3 and 4 (both 9%). 3% of respondents feel that something is missing from the draft objectives. Some of the most common reasons respondents disagree with any of the draft objectives include feeling that EVs are not the environmental future/ not the most eco-friendly approach, being generally against the promotion of EV, or being concerned about the cost to the council/ public.
Objective 1 – policies A to C
The majority of respondents agree that policies A to C are the right ones to achieve objective 1 (63%) and 21% disagree. The highest proportion of respondents disagree with policy A (18%), followed by policy B (16%), and policy C (12%). Common reasons for disagreeing with policies A to C include feeling that there is no room for EV parking bays/ existing parking concerns in Portsmouth, being doubtful about the level of likely demand from residents/ visitors and concerns about the council’s ability to provide the infrastructure.
Objective 2 – policies D to F
The majority of respondents agree that policies D to F are the right ones to achieve objective 2 (70%), and 13% disagree. 9% disagree with policy F and 8% each disagree with policies D and E. Just 3% feel that something is missing. Reasons for disagreeing with these policies largely include generally not being in support of EV/ not feeling as though the council should promote them, or not feeling that EV is the environmental future.
Objective 3 – policies G to I
The majority of respondents agree that policies G to I are the right ones to achieve objective 3 (70%), and 13% disagree. When asked which of the three policies they disagree with, 9% of respondents selected policy G, 7% disagree with policy H, and 8% disagree with policy I. 4% feel something is missing from policies G to I. Common reasons for disagreeing with these policies include generally not being in support of EVs and concerns about the cost to the council/ public.
Objective 4 – policies J and K
Almost three quarters of respondents agree that policies J and K are the right ones to achieve objective 4 (71%), and 14% disagree. Of the two policies, the highest proportion disagree with policy J (11%), whilst 7% disagree with policy K, and 3% feel that something is missing from these policies. Respondents express concerns about the cost to the council for these two policies, not being in support of EV generally, as well as specific concerns about Portsmouth’s car club.
Further comments
Overall, respondents generally feel that a bolder, more proactive or environmentally considered approach is missing from both the draft objectives and the draft policies – this is consistently raised by respondents throughout the consultation. Other comments frequently mention the need to consider charging points, ensuring there are enough which are location appropriate, affordable and reliable. Some respondents also express general support for the strategy, whilst others reiterate that they do not feel that EV is the environmental future, suggesting other approaches such as hydrogen, or focusing on initiatives which reduce car usage overall.
Sample profile
There is fairly good representation from all age groups over the age of 24; no one under 25 years old responded to this consultation. Most respondents are male (63%), whilst 37% are female. Of respondents who provided their postcode, the vast majority live in Portsmouth (93%) – the highest proportion of respondents live in PO4 (26%). The vast majority of respondents are White or White British (96%) and do not have a disability (81%). Of those reporting a disability, long-term illness or health condition, over half report a mobility (55%) or physical disability (54%).
