Market Engagement for Liverpool City Region CA - LEVI Funding

Introduction

A climate emergency was declared by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) and all LCR Local Authorities (LCR LA's) in 2019. All LCR authorities have declared a commitment to become net zero by 2040, with the exception of Liverpool who aim to achieve net zero by 2030. In addition the LCR Mayor has set a clear priority that all LCRCA investments must consider their impact on the environment and commit to measurable action to support the region's net zero goals. All organisations are committed to facilitating the use of Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) in addition to increased walking, cycling, and public and shared transport, and therefore the provision of suitable well located Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (EVCI) will contribute to delivery on net zero across the region.

The LCRCA has successfully obtained £9,647,000 Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Capital funding to invest into EVCI via a regional contract.

LCR EVCI Aims
- To provide a sustainable electric vehicle charging infrastructure network that supports journeys across the Liverpool City Region, is easy to use, is inclusive and accessible for all, and offers good value for money, both for public sector and network users.
- To allocate the LEVI Capital Funding via a regional contract for the purposes of predominantly supporting the needs of residents without access to a private drive or garage by facilitating the delivery of on-street EVCI (inclusive of publicly owned car parks and other land that can be made available for residents to access).
- To contribute to a broader ‘net zero’ transport network which delivers healthier communities while supporting inclusive economic growth i.e. an EVCI network that supports wider transport policy such as Car Clubs and mobility hubs.

LCR EVCI Objectives
- Enable and deliver a comprehensive public electric vehicle charging infrastructure network across the Borough, including through our ability to influence and leverage investment from the private sector and other partners.
- Set out an approach to managing on highway EV charging, ensuring that residents without access to private off-road parking can access appropriate EVCI
- Set out an approach to managing EV charging in local authority car parks.
- Encourage new developments to include high quality electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Procurement Intent
The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) on behalf of the LCR Local Authorities (Halton Borough Council, Knowsley Council, Liverpool City Council, Sefton Council, St Helens Borough Council, and Wirral Council) is currently developing an approach to the procurement of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (EVCI) for the Liverpool city region. To help inform a future procurement exercise, the LCRCA is now seeking market responses from interested suppliers to this opportunity. A series of questions are therefore set out on key issues for which we invite comment.

At this point in time we are seeking to capture supplier expertise, capability, experience and preferences, therefore the questions will cover key EVCI points, such as;
- Types of Charging Infrastructure,
- Provision of services,
- Commercial Model options,
- Type of Contract and Contract Length,
- Costs & Funding Availability,
- Roles and Responsibilities,
- Procurement Routes.

Current Working Assumptions
That all LCR public sector organisations are committed to using a regional LCR EVCI contract on a call-off basis, that a contract is likely to be awarded on a 15yr basis, that the LEVI Capital Fund is to be viewed as seed funding with private investment expected in addition. That the LEVI Capital Fund has a dedicated purpose (to deliver on-street EVCI for residents) but that an LCR Regional contract using other funding sources (private and public) could also deliver EVCI for other purposes. That there are various current procurement routes available to be used or if a new contract was to be created it may need to be divided into a lot structure with each lot dedicated to particular types of EVCI i.e. Lot 1 - Lamp-post EVCI (front of kerb and back of kerb solutions), Lot 1 - On-Street Charging EVCI (Slow, Standard and Fast) including small scale hubs i.e. car-parks and other land, Lot 3 - Rapid and Ultra-Rapid, Lot 4 - Electric Forecourt Facility, Lot 5 - Innovation (including energy generation and storage equipment). That at the end of the contract public sector will retain ownership of any below ground works installed to establish EVCI. That for the majority of installed EVCI that public sector may retain the right to own EVCI installed above ground at the end of contract.

Timescales
- Responses to this Market Engagement exercise are requested to be submitted by no later than 12 noon on Friday 6th October 23.
- It is currently anticipated that subject to the necessary approvals that a formal procurement exercise will be published early in 2024.
(Please Note: The LCRCA may wish to contact those organisations who provided a response following the return date to seek further information and clarity on the responses provided)