Purpose

Purpose

The purpose of this decision is to increase the billing rate of the 40kWh chargers at South Cambs Hall to 50p per kWh and the 7.3kWh chargers to 40p per kWh to cover the costs of charging and operation to the Council. Standard industry practice is to charge ‘rapid’ chargers at a higher rate than standard chargers. At present all chargers at SCDC are charged at a standard set rate of 35p per kWh.

Background

The rate of charging for the Electric Vehicle Charging Points was set in 2024 at 35p per kWh when the charging points became operational. This was set at a standard rate across all standard 7.3 kWh chargers and the two 40kWh chargers. This rate has not been reviewed since this point.

There was an initial teething period during which there were challenges with the back-office connectivity of the chargers. These issues have now been rectified, and the chargers are fully operational and now provide a consistent and reliable service. Initial issues related to policies around parking in the EV charging bays have now been overcome through better communication, making it clear that only cars which are actively being charged may park in these bays.

The rate of the chargers may be set at a rate which covers the cost of providing and operating the chargers according to the Council's EV charging policy. Standard industry practice differentiates between the prices at which standard EV chargers are charged and at which rapid chargers are charged. Furthermore, it is noted that comparable chargers in the surrounding area in Cambourne are charged at a much higher rate than the chargers at South Cambs Hall.

This new rate is, therefore, proposed to cover future costs of provision and operation of the chargers, bringing them in line with other standardised practices in EV charging.

Decision

To increase the billing rate of the 40kWh chargers at South Cambs Hall to 50p per kWh and the 7.3kWh chargers to 40p per kWh.

Reasons for the decision

To cover the costs of providing and delivering the chargers to the Council and align with standard industry practice of charging 40kWh ‘rapid’ chargers at a higher rate than the standard 7.3kWh chargers.

Alternative options considered

Options considered:

Option 1: To keep charging rates the same.

Option 2: To charge all chargers at a consistent higher rate across the board.

Option 3: To charge at higher rate.

Reason for Rejection:

Option 1: Rejected as this does currently not covering the costs of the operation of the chargers.

Option 2: This would mean that the rate for the standard chargers is substantially higher than at-home charging and would potentially discourage usage, particularly for the standard chargers.

Option 3: As this is significantly higher, it would have the potential to discourage usage.