Agenda item

10.1

The Parking Services Manager introduced the report which sought approval to increase the current tariff price to be charged to motorists using Sheffield City Council’s Rapid Electric Vehicle Chargers. It also seeks approval of the price to be charged to motorists using Sheffield City Council’s new Fast Electric Vehicle Chargers.

10.2

RESOLVED: That the Waste and Street Scene Policy Committee:-

1.     Approve the price charged to motorists using the Council’s existing network of Rapid (50kW) Electric Vehicle Chargers being increased to 72p per kilowatt hour used for the first 60 minutes with the charge after 60 minutes increasing to a flat fee of £20 per hour to encourage turnover and access to the chargers.

2.     Approve the price charged to motorists using the Council’s new network of Fast (7kW – 22kW) Electric Vehicle Chargers being initially set at 58p per Kilowatt hour.

3.      Note that a new Traffic Regulation Order to implement the fees for Fast Chargers is intended to be proposed. This proposal will be subject to the usual statutory consultation process required for a Traffic Regulation Order.

4.     Note that a new Traffic Regulation Order to implement pay and display parking charges for vehicles that are in parking places and charging via Fast Electric Vehicle Chargers is intended to be proposed. This proposal will also be subject to the usual statutory consultation process required for a Traffic Regulation Order.

5.      Delegate Authority to the Executive Director of Operational Services, in consultation with the Chair, Deputy Chair and Group Spokesperson for the Waste and Streetscene Committee, to make future changes to the fee motorists pay to use the Council’s electric charging infrastructure, where: a. the change supports effective management of demand for parking and contributes to wider traffic management objectives; b. the proposed change is not for an amount greater or less than the rate of 15p per Kilowatt hour or the Retail Price Index plus 1% from the date they were last increased, whichever is greater.

10.3

Reasons for Decision

10.3.1

The price of 72 pence per kilowatt hour is in line with other commercial and local authority operators so will be appropriate to encourage use while covering costs of running the chargers. The increase to a flat fee of £20 per hour after 60 minutes of charging will discourage motorist from leaving their vehicle parked in the bay longer than is needed to fill their battery to an adequate charge. A battery can reach 80% charge within 30-40 minutes.

10.3.2

The fee introduced for Fast EV Chargers at 58 pence per kilowatt hour is in line with other commercial and Local Authority operators so will be appropriate to encourage use while covering costs of operating the chargers.

10.3.3

Removing the parking exemptions for pay and display charges for electric vehicle motorists using fast chargers is in line with other commercial and Local Authority operators so will be appropriate to encourage use while covering costs of running the chargers and keeps the tariff lower.

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

10.4.1

Consideration was given to charging for ‘parking only’ (i.e. without also imposing charges which are based on charging an electric vehicle). It was discounted as the Council wants to encourage drivers to use the infrastructure and move on to increase availability of chargers for other motorists. Similarly, encouraging motorists to park in the bay for an extended period would reduce availability.

10.4.2

Consideration has also been given to not installing the Fast EV Chargers. However, the lack of infrastructure to charge electric vehicles is a barrier to switching from a combustion engine to an ultra-low emission vehicle. By doing nothing, the availability of chargers will remain lower, and the rate of change to electric vehicles is likely to also remain lower, reducing the speed in which vehicle change takes place, and reducing the impact in improving Sheffield’s air quality.

10.4.3

Doing nothing and continuing with the current Rapid EV Charger tariffs would mean the gap between income and expenditure would continue to grow, cause further budget pressures and would be financially unsustainable.

9.1

During the discussion of the above item the Committee agreed, in accordance with Council Procedure Rules, that as the meeting was approaching the two hours and 30 minutes time limit, the meeting should be extended by a period of 30 minutes.

9.2

The Parking Services Manager introduced the report which sought approval to increase the current tariff price to be charged to motorists using Sheffield City Council’s Rapid Electric Vehicle Chargers. The report also sought approval of the price to be charged to motorists using Sheffield City Council’s new Fast Electric Vehicle Chargers.

9.3

The Committee requested a further briefing on the fees and charges for electric vehicle chargers.

9.4

The result of the vote on the resolution was FOR – 8 Members; AGAINST – 0 Members; ABSTENTIONS – 1 Member.

9.5

RESOLVED: That the Waste and Street Scene Policy Committee:-

1.     Approve the price charged to motorists using the Council’s existing network of Rapid (50kW) Electric Vehicle Chargers being increased to 72p per kilowatt hour used for the first 60 minutes with the charge after 60 minutes increasing to a flat fee of £20 per hour to encourage turnover and access to the chargers.

2.     Approve the price charged to motorists using the Council’s new network of Fast (7kW – 22kW) Electric Vehicle Chargers being initially set at 58p per Kilowatt hour.

3.     Note that a new Traffic Regulation Order to implement the fees for Fast Chargers is intended to be proposed. This proposal will be subject to the usual statutory consultation process required for a Traffic Regulation Order.

4.     Note that a new Traffic Regulation Order to implement pay and display parking charges for vehicles that are in parking places and charging via Fast Electric Vehicle Chargers is intended to be proposed. This proposal will also be subject to the usual statutory consultation process required for a Traffic Regulation Order.

5.     Delegate Authority to the Executive Director of Operational Services, in consultation with the Chair, Deputy Chair and Group Spokesperson for the Waste and Street Scene Committee, to make future changes to the fee motorists pay to use the Council’s electric charging infrastructure, where: a. the change supports effective management of demand for parking and contributes to wider traffic management objectives; b. the proposed change is not for an amount greater or less than the rate of 15p per Kilowatt hour or the Retail Price Index plus 1% from the date they were last increased, whichever is greater.

9.6

Reasons for Decision

9.6.1

The price of 72 pence per kilowatt hour is in line with other commercial and local authority operators so will be appropriate to encourage use while covering costs of running the chargers. The increase to a flat fee of £20 per hour after 60 minutes of charging will discourage motorist from leaving their vehicle parked in the bay longer than is needed to fill their battery to an adequate charge. A battery can reach 80% charge within 30-40 minutes.

9.6.2

The fee introduced for Fast EV Chargers at 58 pence per kilowatt hour is in line with other commercial and Local Authority operators so will be appropriate to encourage use while covering costs of operating the chargers.

9.6.3

Removing the parking exemptions for pay and display charges for electric vehicle motorists using fast chargers is in line with other commercial and Local Authority operators so will be appropriate to encourage use while covering costs of running the chargers and keeps the tariff lower.

9.7

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.7.1

Consideration was given to charging for ‘parking only’ (i.e. without also imposing charges which are based on charging an electric vehicle). It was discounted as the Council wants to encourage drivers to use the infrastructure and move on to increase availability of chargers for other motorists. Similarly, encouraging motorists to park in the bay for an extended period would reduce availability.

9.7.2

Consideration has also been given to not installing the Fast EV Chargers. However, the lack of infrastructure to charge electric vehicles is a barrier to switching from a combustion engine to an ultra-low emission vehicle. By doing nothing, the availability of chargers will remain lower, and the rate of change to electric vehicles is likely to also remain lower, reducing the speed in which vehicle change takes place, and reducing the impact in improving Sheffield’s air quality.

9.7.3

Doing nothing and continuing with the current Rapid EV Charger tariffs would mean the gap between income and expenditure would continue to grow, cause further budget pressures and would be financially unsustainable.