New electric vehicle charging points are to be installed in on-street locations across the East Riding over the next year.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council is to invest £400,000 to install around 100 new public electric vehicle (EV) charging points in 2023 in order to improve the entire network as more electric powered cars hit the roads.
The scheme is part of the council’s climate change pledge and is designed to support residents and visitors and encourage greater take up of electric powered vehicles, as the Government’s ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in 2030 gets ever closer.
The points are due to be fitted at key sites in Anlaby, Beverley, Bridlington, Brough, Cottingham, Driffield, Flamborough, Goole, Hedon, Hessle, Hornsea, Market Weighton, Pocklington and Snaith, with more locations to follow in 2024.
All the chargers will be free standing and provide power for between two and five vehicles at a time, depending on the available power supply in that area.
All installations will be subject to the normal public consultation and planning approval process.
The council installed its first EV chargers in 2014.
Since then, it has gone on to install a further 75 charging points in its public car parks and at council properties, such as at East Riding Leisure centres, for both public and staff use.
So far, they have all been free to use – to encourage the uptake of electric vehicles – but, in line with other authorities, charges will be introduced when the new points have been fitted because of the effect of soaring energy prices on the council’s limited budget.
Prices are due to be set at a competitive rate in order to cover energy and running costs.
All money recouped, minus costs, will be reinvested in further EV charging points to meet increasing demand. The council also aims to attract more investment to fund further units.
Although private developers are mandated to install chargers as part of new developments, the council is not required to provide any.
But these new points are being installed to help residents who don’t have their own driveways and may find it difficult to charge at home. Although they are not designed to replace at-home charging.
The council has been exploring a number of ways to help residents with on-street parking. It also aims to increase safety around electric charging.
It is looking to offer a gully charging service to residents in return for a fee, depending on permissions, where a gully can be created in a pavement outside a house in order to carry charging wires, to avoid any accidents caused by trailing cables.
Councillor Chris Matthews, the council’s portfolio holder for environment and climate change, said: “I’m really pleased we are able to fit these public charging points across the East Riding to support our residents – and we’re hopefully going to install more in the future.
“Although these units aren’t designed to replace charging at home, they will be a handy alternative when drivers need to use them.
“Electric vehicles are becoming much more popular now in the East Riding. They will not only improve the area’s carbon footprint, but also improve the air quality, especially in our towns.”
