First Steps Towards Electric Vehicle Charging Points In Ceredigion

Further engagement to evaluate the opportunity of providing public use electric vehicle charging points in Ceredigion has been authorised. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

In a report presented to Cabinet on 14 March 2017, it was stated that there are currently no public use electric vehicle charging points in Ceredigion. It was argued that this lack of infrastructure makes the area inaccessible to electric vehicle owners. This is despite electric vehicles increasing in popularity in recent years. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Figures show that the number of electric cars in Wales have increased markedly in recent years with 1,725 electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles on Welsh roads from July to September 2016, compared to 70 during the same period in 2012. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Lyndon Griffiths, the Group Manager of Property Services said, “This decision allows us to look further into the possibility of providing infrastructure to an increasingly popular means of transport at no cost to the Council.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The report to the Cabinet recommended engaging with a Pembrokeshire based company which offer free installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The company offers free installation of both fast and rapid chargers in car parks. Such an initiative could also provide the Council with a revenue stream made from a percentage of profits made on electricity used. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​