The cost of using council-owned electric vehicle charging points in Falkirk will increase, councillors have agreed.
Members of Falkirk Council's executive heard today (Tuesday) that the money the charging points bring in is now falling short of their cost to the council.
A report to the council's executive revealed that in 2021/22 the council spent £62,348 on electricity supply for public charging points, and received an income of £56,727.
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By December 22, the figures show that the Council has spent £70,673 on electricity supply and received an income of just £38,231, meaning this year it will recover just over half the costs for the 57 EVCPs at 28 locations across the Falkirk Council area.
The report highlights that there are also significant other costs such as maintenance, annual services, signage replacement, and data management.
The charging tariff is currently set at £0.25 per kWh with a minimum of £1 spend for each charging session with a £5 overstay charge.
Members of Falkirk Council's executive agreed to raising EV charging tariffs to: fast / AC (7kW or 22kW): £0.48 per kWh; Rapid / DC: £0.69 per kWh; and Ultra-Rapid / DC: £0.75 per kWh (due by summer 2023/24).
They also agreed to increase the minimum spend to £5 and to approve an increase of the overstay charge for Fast, Rapid and Ultra-Rapid chargers as follows.
• Fast / AC – (22kW only) £12 after first 4 hours plus 15 minutes grace; and £12 subsequently after every 4-hour duration
• Rapid / DC - £20 after first 60 minutes plus 15 minutes grace;
and £20 every subsequent hour
• Ultra-Rapid / DC - £30 after first 40 minutes plus 15 minutes
grace; and £30 every subsequent 40 minutes.
SNP Councillor Iain Sinclair, the administration's climate change spokesperson, asked that the grace time for those returning late to their vehicle be increased to 15 minutes and this was accepted.
Cllr Sinclair told the meeting that the proposals would reduce the subsidy the council has been providing, which was vital as it faced major financial challenges.
Crucially, the increase would also encourage private businesses to invest in charging points, which is seen as vital to expanding the network of charging points across the UK.
Cllr Sinclair said: "This council is ahead of the curve in providing charging stations and pricing accordingly.
"Many authorities, we believe, will be following this example, increasing their tariffs to be more financially sustainable, while encouraging more private sector investment."
He said the changes would also allow the council to respond to fluctuating energy costs - increasing or reducing where necessary.
Conservative councillor James Kerr said he was keen to see more charging points being provided to the district's more rural areas.
He was told that there are currently plans to introduce a further 32 charging points in 10 different locations and more private sector providers are expected to come on board soon.
