South Lanarkshire Council will place fees on charging electrical vehicles across the area.
At the executive committee meeting this week, councillors voted in favour of the decision to introduce fees for those charging electric cars at council-owned charging stations.
Up until now, the cost of charging cars at council facilities was free, however, with rising energy costs, elected members have decided to impose a charge.
The tariff aims to move towards a point where the growing electrical car network and infrastructure are financially sustainable and to cover the cost of charging provided to users as well as maintenance, possible expansion and replacement costs.
Council officers recommended introducing a ‘Cost Only’ charge which will charge users at a rate based on the number of units of energy consumed.
There’s been ongoing growth over the last three years at charging points, from 2018 to 2019, the total cost of electrical vehicles was £38,039, which rose to £43,731 in 2019 to 2020, increasing again to £51,470 in 2020 to 2021 with a huge rise to £275,676 between 2021 to 2022. This reflects the increased use of these charging points as well as the increase in electricity costs.
Opinions were divided across elected members, some argued that introducing a charge with little warning was unfair, and others believed that it would only be fair to charge for electrical charging given the rising fuel costs petrol and diesel car users have faced.
Councillor John Anderson (East Kilbride Central South), argued that the costs could be too high. He said: “We’ll be pricing the same as private companies with the 5klwat charges which are at odds with the cost only option because that is not a cost recovery that is profiteering. We should be offering competition to them.”
Councillor Andrea Cowan (Rutherglen Central and North), questioned the timing of introducing charges, saying: “Whilst I think everybody agrees electricity can’t be provided free forever. I’m concerned about taxi drivers who are being encouraged to invest in electric vehicles for the low emission zones, and they are presently using the free charges and it’s helping them.
“Given the pandemic which affected the taxi industry significantly, I’m wondering if this is the right time to be imposing costs on taxi drivers and delivery drivers who have invested in electrical vehicles.
“I’m also wondering what timescale we’re looking at, given the cost of living crisis, I’m wondering when charges will be imposed?”
Council officers confirmed that tariffs would be put in place ‘as soon as practically possible’ following approval.
Councillors were in support of the decision. Councillor Kirsten Robb (East Kilbride East) welcomed the move and suggested that funds raised from charging for services should be directed to other areas.
She said: “I approve of the council’s approach in this area, the free electricity that has been provided to people are the ones who could afford to pay given the cost of electric vehicles and it’s important that we should bear in mind how we address that.
“We should look at how we redirect that funding into addressing poverty including active travel.”
Provost Margaret Cooper agreed with the proposals, and she said: “I fully support this, it’s time we start charging, I don’t feel we should delay the report I feel it should be going ahead now.
“People paying for electrical charging will now be in the same position as those paying for diesel and petrol.”
Councillor Mark McGeever (Hamilton West and Earnock) also echoed these thoughts, and he said: “I would say, I think it’s right that the council, when it’s under so much pressure in services across the board, that we look at what is a very potentially secure and long revenue scheme.
“So long as we are sensitive to factors, the council should use what is advantageous to increase revenue for our council services.”
Councillor John Anderson proposed an amendment to the proposals. He suggested that group leaders should consult with the chief executive of the council to determine clear tariffs and costs, however, a majority of councillors voted in favour of the initial proposal.
The issue of ‘bay blocking’ will be addressed in the council’s new approach to ensure that charge points are available to all those that need them, and this will be done through a restriction of a one-hour maximum stay which will be applied to rapid charging facilities.
There are currently 133 charging points across South Lanarkshire which are run by the council.
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