EV drivers in Perth and Kinross will have to pay the highest rate in Tayside and Fife for charging when fees begin next year.
Charging an EV across the Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) area is currently free, with the region one of the last in Scotland to maintain free charging for EV drivers.
But now councillors have agreed plans to introduce a 35p per kWh fee for rapid chargers and a 30p per kWh fee for slower devices.
That comes on the back of huge growth in the number of charging sessions, predicted to cost the local authority almost a quarter of a million pounds this year.
EV drivers plugged in for 42,971 sessions in the first half of this year. That comes close to equalling the total number of PKC sessions in the whole of 2021 at 50,307.
EV drivers parking on a charger for four hours or more will also pay an additional £10 fee.
Dundee currently cheaper for EV drivers
The equivalent charge in Dundee is currently 25p per kWh for rapid chargers and 20p per kWh otherwise, according to the council’s website.
Dundee transport bosses introduced those fees in January of this year.
PKC buys its electricity for between 10p/kWh to 20p/kWh for the slower chargers, according to council papers.
Angus currently charges 23p per kWH and Fife 15p per kWh with a £1.60 charge, according to the authorities’ respective websites.
Councillor Richard Watters, SNP, is climate change committee convenor.
He said rising numbers of electric vehicles on the road means it is no longer possible to allow motorists to charge their vehicles for free.
“As more of us make the switch to electric vehicles, the cost of maintaining and increasing the EV charging infrastructure and the price of electricity itself will rise.
“It is great that so many people are moving away from fossil fuels, but with the cost expected to rise to at least £230,000 this year, we cannot avoid introducing charges any longer.
“Reinvesting in the network will help us keep up with demand and make sure we have the right infrastructure in place to meet demand.”
Ambitious EV plans but many current PKC chargers broken
The committee also committed to preparing a report into the potential of handing over the council’s EV charging points to the private sector.
It is widely anticipated this will happen across Scotland as electric vehicle use increases.
PKC transport bosses have ambitious plans to expand EV use in the area, installing 41 chargers at the Broxden park and ride.
But council chiefs, charging bosses and charging equipment suppliers have come under heavy criticism after it emerged the majority of the eight rapid chargers in the city were awaiting repair earlier this month.
Drivers also found chargers in key tourism hotspots – including Killin, Crieff and Dunkeld – were also broken.
The PKC charges start in January next year.
Conversation