Fife electric vehicle users will have to pay to use public charging points from April

Drivers of electric vehicles in Fife will soon have to pay to top up at public charging points.

Councillors have rubber stamped plans to introduce new fees for users of Fife Council’s public chargers.

Members of the region’s economy, tourism, strategic planning and transportation committee were told the move would bring it into line with many other local authorities.

Scottish Government grants paid for the current network of 39 chargers, soon to rise to 68. However, funding for the initial five-year maintenance period is due to end in 2022 and the council has been looking at ways to make the provision sustainable beyond that.

From April 1, people wishing to use the public chargers will be asked to pay a £1.60 connection fee and then 15p per kWh.

The move comes amid concerns the electric vehicle infrastructure is not being effectively used, and that some sites are being treated as free parking opportunities.

Derek Crowe, Fife’s roads and transportation senior manager, said: “The aim remains to provide an effective and sustainable electric vehicle public network.

“Following the implementation of charges from April 1 2020 the network will be closely monitored to allow further data analysis and support an annual review process of charges.”

He said a further report would come back to committee in late 2022 to set fees from 2023 onwards, by which point the full maintenance and replacement costs would have to be fully covered by fee income.

Estimates suggest it would cost around £316,000 to replace the existing 39 charging units. The devices have a 10-year design life, meaning the scheme would have to bring in around £32,000 a year.

A report to councillors revealed a significantly increased fee of 44p/kWh could be needed from 2024 – based on current projections – to provide an entirely self-sustaining public electric vehicle charging network.

However, it’s hoped the system will be more widely used over the years and that this will help to bring down charges.

Many of the units are in off-street car parks which have a minimum parking fee of £1.10. Officials said a 50p levy to charge – effectively taking the total connection fee to £1.60 – would be appropriate.

Dundee City Council’s connection fee is 38p followed by a 15p per kWh cost to charge. Moray Council has a standard flat fee of £3.80 irrespective of energy used.