Agenda item

(a)  Authorised that the existing electric vehicle charge point fee tariff structure to be rolled out to all charge points on the Council’s public EV charging network; and

(b)  Agreed the switch of EV workplace charge points in the basement level at Herschel Multi Storey Car Park (MSCP) to public EV charging on the Council’s network.

The Lead Member for Transport, Housing, Highways, The Environment and Environmental Services introduced a report that set out the current infrastructure, usage and costs of the Council’s public electric vehicle (EV) charging network and proposed application of a standardised tariff regime across the sites and allow all the Council charging facilities to be used by the public. 

It was noted that there were currently charges at some sites but not others and standardising the tariff would help ensure the service was self-sufficient and more reliable. 

A member of the public, Mr Wayne Strutton, had submitted a question raising numerous issues about the current infrastructure and management of the EV charging network.  The Lead Member responded to the question and to Mr Strutton’s supplementary question about why several existing charging points had not worked in the past.

The Leader invited Councillor Mann to address the Cabinet having registered to speak.  Councillor Mann highlighted that the decision would increase the number of EV points at which charges would apply and queried why the report did not include any information on the widening access to EV charging in the borough.  It was noted in response that a comprehensive EV infrastructure strategy would be produced later in 2023.

Lead Members discussed various aspects of the proposal and emphasised the importance of ensuring that a quality service was provided with appropriate maintenance arrangements to ensure it was reliable.  After due consideration the recommendations were approved.

Resolved –

(a)  Authorised that the existing electric vehicle charge point fee tariff structure to be rolled out to all charge points on the Council’s public EV charging network; and

(b)  Agreed the switch of EV workplace charge points in the basement level at Herschel Multi Storey Car Park (MSCP) to public EV charging on the Council’s network.