{"id":18635304,"url":"https://github.com/bbc-data-unit/electric-car-charging-points","last_synced_at":"2025-04-11T08:30:29.345Z","repository":{"id":72157074,"uuid":"179845768","full_name":"BBC-Data-Unit/electric-car-charging-points","owner":"BBC-Data-Unit","description":"Lack of electric car charging points 'putting off drivers'","archived":false,"fork":false,"pushed_at":"2020-11-29T09:11:31.000Z","size":2782,"stargazers_count":2,"open_issues_count":0,"forks_count":3,"subscribers_count":4,"default_branch":"master","last_synced_at":"2025-03-25T11:38:34.922Z","etag":null,"topics":["electriccars","haversine","r","shareddataunit","transport"],"latest_commit_sha":null,"homepage":"https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-47696839","language":"HTML","has_issues":true,"has_wiki":null,"has_pages":null,"mirror_url":null,"source_name":null,"license":null,"status":null,"scm":"git","pull_requests_enabled":true,"icon_url":"https://github.com/BBC-Data-Unit.png","metadata":{"files":{"readme":"README.md","changelog":null,"contributing":null,"funding":null,"license":null,"code_of_conduct":null,"threat_model":null,"audit":null,"citation":null,"codeowners":null,"security":null,"support":null,"governance":null,"roadmap":null,"authors":null,"dei":null,"publiccode":null,"codemeta":null}},"created_at":"2019-04-06T14:47:39.000Z","updated_at":"2024-02-29T01:16:45.000Z","dependencies_parsed_at":null,"dependency_job_id":"5f88e552-e954-4018-8ed9-9e251b5986a6","html_url":"https://github.com/BBC-Data-Unit/electric-car-charging-points","commit_stats":null,"previous_names":[],"tags_count":0,"template":false,"template_full_name":null,"repository_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repositories/BBC-Data-Unit%2Felectric-car-charging-points","tags_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repositories/BBC-Data-Unit%2Felectric-car-charging-points/tags","releases_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repositories/BBC-Data-Unit%2Felectric-car-charging-points/releases","manifests_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repositories/BBC-Data-Unit%2Felectric-car-charging-points/manifests","owner_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/owners/BBC-Data-Unit","download_url":"https://codeload.github.com/BBC-Data-Unit/electric-car-charging-points/tar.gz/refs/heads/master","host":{"name":"GitHub","url":"https://github.com","kind":"github","repositories_count":248361450,"owners_count":21090900,"icon_url":"https://github.com/github.png","version":null,"created_at":"2022-05-30T11:31:42.601Z","updated_at":"2022-07-04T15:15:14.044Z","host_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub","repositories_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repositories","repository_names_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repository_names","owners_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/owners"}},"keywords":["electriccars","haversine","r","shareddataunit","transport"],"created_at":"2024-11-07T05:24:29.599Z","updated_at":"2025-04-11T08:30:29.330Z","avatar_url":"https://github.com/BBC-Data-Unit.png","language":"HTML","funding_links":[],"categories":[],"sub_categories":[],"readme":"# Lack of electric car charging points 'putting off drivers'\n\n![](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/660/cpsprodpb/63C5/production/_106314552_charging1.jpg)\n\nIn March 2019 the BBC Shared Data Unit [reported](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-47696839) a \"patchy\" network of charging points was discouraging UK drivers from embracing electric cars.\n\nOur analysis found more than a third of local authorities had ten or fewer locations where drivers could plug in their vehicles, with wide variation across the country.\n\nWe analysed data from Open Charge Map, a crowd-sourced website of charging locations. Not every location will feature in Open Charge Map, but it aims to be a \"reliable single point of reference for charging equipment location information\". There is no similar resource from the government.\n\nAs part of the story we used the [Haversine formula](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haversine_formula) to perform 49 million calculations for each distance (as the crow flies) between each of the 7,000 points, and then store the shortest one. \n\nThis piece of content was produced by a regional newspaper reporter working alongside BBC staff.\n\nIn a Twitter thread, Peter Sherlock [explained why the data was used and how the team worked with that](https://twitter.com/petesherlock79/status/1114089816671563777)\n\nThe Shared Data Unit makes data journalism available to news organisations across the media industry, as part of a partnership between the BBC and the News Media Association. Stories generated by the partnership included:\n\n* MKFM: [Milton Keynes revealed as having highest number of electric car charging stations in the UK](https://www.mkfm.com/news/local-news/milton-keynes-revealed-as-having-highest-number-of-electric-car-charging-stations-in-the-uk/) *5 April 2019*\n* The Scotsman: [Scots gradually embracing electric car revolution as numbers rise](https://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/scots-gradually-embracing-electric-car-revolution-as-numbers-rise-1-4902216) *5 April 2019*\n* The Darlington \u0026 Stockton Times: [Region will struggle to cope with expected boom in electric vehicles](https://www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/news/17551632.region-will-struggle-to-cope-with-expected-boom-in-electric-vehicles/) *5 April 2019*\n* Rochdale Online: [Rochdale one of 137 local authorities to have no more than 10 charging points for electric cars](https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/127100/rochdale-one-of-137-local-authorities-to-have-no-more-than-10-charging-points-for-electric-cars) *5 April 2019*\n* Stourbridge News: [Dudley falls short on electric car charging points](https://www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/news/17554684.dudley-falls-short-on-electric-car-charging-points/) *5 April 2019*\n* Chronicle Live: [Lack of charge points is threat to government plans for zero emission vehicles](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/uk-news/lack-charge-points-threat-government-16079112) *5 April 2019*\n* Leicestershire Live: [Nationwide shortage of charge points threatens government targets for electric vehicles](https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/nationwide-shortage-charge-points-threatens-2722521) *5 April 2019*\n* Stoke Sentinel: [853 motorists in North Staffordshire choose to drive an electric car - as the Government plans to phase out petrol and diesel](https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/853-motorists-north-staffordshire-choose-2722731) *5 April 2019*\n* York: The Press: [Electric vehicle numbers in York revealed - with 'hyper hub' charging on way](https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/17552160.electric-vehicle-numbers-in-york-revealed-with-hyper-hub-charging-on-way/) *5 April 2019*\n* Wrexham and Flintshire: The Leader Live: [Huge increase in electric and hybrid vehicles in Wrexham and Flintshire](https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/17552894.huge-increase-in-electric-and-hybrid-vehicles-in-wrexham-and-flintshire/) *5 April 2019*\n* KL.FM: [Is West Norfolk prepared for an electric car revolution?](https://www.klfm967.co.uk/news/klfm-news/2843909/is-west-norfolk-prepared-for-an-electric-car-revolution/) *5 April 2019*\n* The Scarborough News: [Ryedale has third longest average distance to electric car charging points in England](https://www.thescarboroughnews.co.uk/news/transport/ryedale-has-third-longest-average-distance-to-electric-car-charging-points-in-england-1-9695147) *5 April 2019*\n* Bob FM: [Report claims \"Patchy\" network of chargers is discouraging Hertfordshire's drivers from embracing electric cars](http://www.bobfm.co.uk/news/local-news/report-claims-patchy-network-of-chargers-is-discouraging-hertfordshires-drivers-from-embracing-electric-cars/) *5 April 2019*\n* Swindon Advertiser: [Thousands of electric cars in Swindon - but only 16 public charging points](https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/17552949.thousands-of-electric-cars-in-swindon-but-only-16-public-charging-points/) *5 April 2019*\n* Bristol Live: [Nationwide shortage of charge points threatens government targets for electric vehicles](https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/nationwide-shortage-charge-points-threatens-2722521) *5 April 2019*\n* Cornish Stuff: [Electric Car Revolution – Cornwall leading the way](https://cornishstuff.com/2019/04/05/electric-car-revolution-cornwall-leading-the-charge/) *5 April 2019*\n* Nottinghamshire Live: [Thinking of buying an electric car? These are the best and worst places in Nottinghamshire to own one](https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/motoring/thinking-buying-electric-car-best-2715061) *5 April 2019*\n* Nottinghamshire Live: [Nationwide shortage of charge points threatens government targets for electric vehicles](https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/uk-world-news/nationwide-shortage-charge-points-threatens-2722521) *5 April 2019*\n* Cambridgeshire Live: [Lack of charge points is threat to government plans for zero emission vehicles](https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/lack-charge-points-threat-government-16079112) *5 April 2019*\n* Stoke Sentinel: [Nationwide shortage of charge points threatens government targets for electric vehicles](\nhttps://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/nationwide-shortage-charge-points-threatens-2722521) *5 April 2019*\n* Teeside Live: [Lack of charge points is threat to government plans for zero emission vehicles](https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/lack-charge-points-threat-government-16079112) *5 April 2019*\n* Kent Live: [Nationwide shortage of charge points threatens government targets for electric vehicles](https://www.kentlive.news/news/uk-world-news/nationwide-shortage-charge-points-threatens-2722521) *5 April 2019*\n* Derbyshire Live: [Nationwide shortage of charge points threatens government targets for electric vehicles](https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/nationwide-shortage-charge-points-threatens-2722521) *5 April 2019*\n* Romford Recorder: [Electric car charger points lag behind number of eco-vehicles in Havering, figures show](https://www.romfordrecorder.co.uk/news/politics/havering-electric-cars-charger-points-1-5980917) *8 April 2019*\n* Lynn News: [E-car charging needs to be stepped up says LibDems](https://www.lynnnews.co.uk/news/e-car-charging-needs-to-be-stepped-up-says-libdems-9066638/) *9 April 2019*\n* Nantwich News: [Electric vehicles rise by 5,750% in Cheshire East with just 34 charging points](https://thenantwichnews.co.uk/2019/04/12/electric-vehicles-rise-by-5750-in-cheshire-east-with-just-34-charging-points/) *12 April 2019*\n* Chronicle Live: [Northumberland revealed as having one of the highest number of electric car charging points in UK](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/northumberland-revealed-having-one-highest-16143525) *17 April 2019*\n* Gloucestershire Live: [How prepared is Gloucestershire for the electric vehicle revolution?](https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/cheltenham-news/gloucestershire-prepared-electric-car-technology-2725734) *28 April 2019*\n* The Telegraph: [Is an electric car viable for long journeys? A newcomer to battery-powered driving finds out](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/features/electric-car-viable-long-journeys-newcomer-battery-powered-driving/) *14 July 2019*\n\nThe story was also used by the [BBC News Channel](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNZPAQP4y2s\u0026feature=youtu.be), BBC Radio 5 live, in a [blog by BBC Science, Environment \u0026 Rural Affairs Correspondent David Gregory-Kumar](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-47817880), BBC Radio Norfolk, BBC Radio Lancashire, BBC Three Counties Radio and BBC Hereford \u0026 Worcester.\n \n\n## Get the data \n\n* [Analysis, with sheets for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bT0F0sj1t4_7uFrtr071tqW_yilRcl0iLshlKxmNU0Y/edit#gid=1583759189)\n\n## Quotes and interviews\n\n* Alex Banks from Exeter, owner of a Nissan Leaf\n* Nicholas Lyes, head of roads policy, RAC \n* Bridget Fox, Campaign for Better Transport\n* Spokesperson, the Department for Transport (DfT)\n* Spokesman, Scottish Government\n\n## Visualisation\n\n* Interactive map: Average distance between charging locations, by authority\n* Bar chart: Local authorities with the most charging locations\n\n## Background and briefing\n\n* [A full briefing pack on the story can be found here](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vs9WsXXeoCndHQL7a1NLrOB7-qCgGLSIQbS8goYMAoA/edit)\n\n## Code\n\n* [RMarkdown notebook explaining how the distances were calculated](https://github.com/BBC-Data-Unit/electric-car-charging-points/blob/master/calculatingnearestpoints.Rmd)\n\n## Later reporting\n\n* The Guardian Money's article [‘Why did it take nine hours to go 130 miles in our new electric Porsche?’](https://www.theguardian.com/money/2020/nov/28/electric-cars-porsche-charging-network) describes problems with the charging network as \"as one after another [charging stations] were either out of order, already had a queue or were the slow, older versions that would never be able to provide a fast enough charge in the time.\"\n\n","project_url":"https://awesome.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/projects/github.com%2Fbbc-data-unit%2Felectric-car-charging-points","html_url":"https://awesome.ecosyste.ms/projects/github.com%2Fbbc-data-unit%2Felectric-car-charging-points","lists_url":"https://awesome.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/projects/github.com%2Fbbc-data-unit%2Felectric-car-charging-points/lists"}