Fee for electric vehicle charging point use

Perth and Kinross Council’s new climate change and sustainability committee has backed plans to introduce fees for using electric vehicle charging points in local authority car parks.

The new charges will pay for electricity and the council has said that any additional income will be reinvested in “electric vehicle charging infrastructure”.

Committee convener, Councillor Richard Watters, said the rising number of electric vehicles on the road means it is no longer possible to allow motorists to charge their vehicles for free.

The SNP Kinross-shire elected member said: “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.”

The committee considered three potential payment options and agreed to introduce a charge based on people being charged per unit of electricity consumed.

The decision will now need to be approved by the finance and resources committee.