Published 10 May 2023
A new tariff for use of Council-operated electric vehicle charging points in West Dunbartonshire will be introduced from June 1.
The Council has subsidised the cost of electricity usage from its chargers since 2016, kickstarting the shift towards more sustainable electric vehicles.
In the past three years there has been a significant increase in demand for use of the Council’s 12 electric charging points, as well as soaring usage, and the introduction of a tariff will support the Council to cover operational costs as well as maintain the public network.
The new tariff has been set at 40p/kWh for slow and fast charge points and 50p/kWh for rapid charge points. Users will be required to pay a minimum fee of £1.00.
A maximum stay of one hour will also be introduced for rapid charge points to ensure drivers move on from the space as soon as their vehicle is charged.
The new tariff brings West Dunbartonshire in line with most other local authorities in Scotland and will mean the Council no longer absorbs the cost of the rising demand for electric vehicle charging.
In 2022, there was a 600% increase in connections to the Council’s EV chargers compared with 2021, and almost double the amount of electricity used. In the first four months of this year, usage has already almost exceeded 2021 levels.
The cost to the Council for providing this energy as well as maintaining the EV charging ports since 2021 is £125,000.
Councillor David McBride, Convener of Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development, said: “I’m really encouraged to see so many across West Dunbartonshire embracing the use of electric vehicles as this will undoubtedly reduce the areas carbon emissions, and also aligns with the Council’s own ambitions of becoming net zero.
“We continue to support the growth of electric vehicle ownership, and the introduction of this tariff will ensure that the infrastructure for charging them can continue in a financially sustainable way.
“The tariff will allow the Council to recover the cost of energy as well as the maintenance of the charging points to ensure they are accessible for drivers.”
Councillor Lawrence O’Neill, Vice Convener for Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development, added: “Our network has supported more than 30,000 free charging sessions for emission-free driving since 2021, which is fantastic and has helped encourage the shift to electric vehicles.
“It is so positive to see electric vehicle ownership and demand for EV charging increasing, as electric vehicles will be a key part of reducing transport emissions in West Dunbartonshire.
“With this rise in demand in mind, the new tariff will allow the Council to cover the cost of this and make it possible to keep this infrastructure going in a way that does not impact upon other Council services.”
The Council’s Electric Vehicle Charging points are part of the Charge Place Scotland network, and a full list of their locations and tariffs can be found on their website or via their mobile app.
Residents and visitors can check the real-time availability of each charger through Charge Place Scotland before attending to charge their vehicle.