City of York Council works on ‘future-proofed’ EV charging network
City of York Council is exploring a new electric vehicle (EV) charging strategy that, if approved, could see fast charge points introduced at a minimum of 5% of all long-stay parking bays in council-owned car parks by 2023.
The plans could see fast charge points introduced at a minimum of 5% of all long-stay parking bays in council-owned car parks by 2023
Intended to ‘future-proof’ the city for accelerated EV take up, the plans will cost around £800,000 and follow the authority declaring a climate change emergency in 2019 and approving plans to work towards becoming carbon neutral by 2030.
To complement the enhanced fast charger network, the council is also developing two Hyper Hub sites which will provide advanced rapid and ultra-rapid facilities. Subject to securing further external funding, a third site is also being developed.
These would add to the existing public charging network, which consists of 20 fast double headed charge points (40 sockets) and five rapid chargers across the city. Deployed in 2013, these have seen growing use over the years; in 2014 there were 1,510 charging sessions, rising to 13,695 by 2018.
A part of the proposals will be to ensure it offers an equal opportunity for all users (with on- street and off-street parking) and to ensure that tariffs are set at a fair rate.
The current tariff of 15 p/kWh, hasn’t been revised since it was set in 2013, so a key element of the strategy is to review the tariff price point.
During 2020/2021 it is proposed to increase the tariff to 20 p/kWh for fast chargers and 25 p/kWh for rapid and ultra-rapid chargers. All new rapid and ultra-rapid units will allow bank card payments for the same 25 p/kWh fee.
Regular users will have the option of signing up to a subscription network where they will pay a monthly fee in return for lower usage tariffs.
Tariffs will be reviewed every year and electricity supplying the charge points will be part of the council’s energy contract which purchases renewable energy.
A report detailing the proposal will be taken to a public Executive meeting on 19 March for approval.
Natalie Middleton
Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day.
