Fifers keen to combat climate change by switching to electric vehicles will soon have to pay for the privilege of topping up at public charging points.
There are currently 39 charging units in public car parks and transport interchanges but this figure is expected to rise to 68 over the coming months as electric vehicle usage grows.
Scottish Government grants have paid for the current network of chargers but with funding for an initial five-year maintenance period due to end in 2022, Fife Council is examining introducing a pricing scheme to pay for maintenance.
The principle of charging has been formally backed by Fife councillors and a further report outlining what the fee levels is to be put before elected members for approval in January.
Labour councillor Altany Craik, convener of the economy, tourism, strategic planning and transportation committee, said: “There’s a growing acceptance in this era of severe budget pressures on local authorities that there is a need to introduce charges for the EV charging network and move towards a self-sustaining service based on whole life costs.
“However, electric car charging will continue to offer substantial savings compared to the cost of an equivalent petrol or diesel car.
“We hope that the continued growth of our EV network will accelerate the use of green vehicles and further advance a green revolution.”
Dundee, Moray and Dumfries and Galloway councils charge drivers a fee to fuel electric vehicles on their public network.
In Dundee it costs 15p/kWh for electricity, plus a connection fee of 38p to cover back office administration charges.
As well as the fees, councillors also agreed electrical points in off-street car parks are to be for charging purposes only and will not be designated parking bays.
Usage analysis indicates while vehicles are connected to the charging units for up to six hours, their actual charging time is very limited – ranging between 55 minutes, 10 minutes and 13 minutes for the trickle, fast and rapid chargers.
As a result, the EV network is not being used to its full potential as charging units conveniently located in parking bays within car parks are being used as a free parking space, rather than for vehicle charging.
The fees will not apply to the council’s 23 private charging units which are only for the use of Fife Council fleet vehicles and located at depots, main offices and some Meals on Wheels units.
