Agenda item

To update Members of the Scrutiny Committee on the progress and plans for the introduction of public charging points.

(i)      To accept the report, noting the observations made during the discussion;

(ii)    To ask the Cabinet Member/Environment Department to look into providing more fast charging points; 

(iii)   To receive a progress report when timely.

The report was presented by the Cabinet Member for the Environment, the Assistant Head of Environment and the Traffic and Projects Service Manager. Attention was drawn briefly to the following main points: 

It was explained that the Council was involved in a challenging and technical project to install over 100 charging points in 25 sites across Gwynedd, with 16 of those including rapid charging points. It was explained that the Department was offering its staff new training opportunities to install charging points themselves, rather than contracting the work to an external company.

It was reported that this project was split into five parts, and the installation of the charging points was the first step. It was noted that this was the only step that the Council could deliver independently and that it was dependent upon other bodies to collaborate on the other steps to complete the project. It was explained that this had caused a significant delay with the project to date, as a number of charging points had been installed but had not yet been connected to the network. Assurance was given that the Department had learnt from these challenges and was confident that the difficulties would not arise with the future implementation of the project.

It was noted that the Council had received positive responses to a recent letter regarding the availability of community charging points. It was acknowledged that it was impossible for everyone to charge their cars at home as some houses did not have a convenient parking space, or when the location of the parking space was difficult to connect. It was reported that there were plans for community charging points in the future.

Disappointment was expressed that the Government had changed its target date for banning petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035.

It was confirmed that consultation was an important part of the process, as gathering feedback from the users of charging points was crucial. It was explained that the feedback already received from charging point users was positive. Feedback was gathered when users finished using a charging point, and their responses were sent to an internal system under the Council's control.

In response to a question regarding the Council's consultations with housing associations on charging points, the Assistant Head of Environment confirmed that the main emphasis was currently on the existing 25 locations. However, it was confirmed that the Council had a close relationship with housing associations and that charging points were included as part of the Council's Housing Action Plan.

In response to a question regarding payment methods for the charging point service, the Traffic and Projects Service Manager confirmed that there were three payment methods. It was detailed that a specific card could be used for the charging points, through a mobile app, and in future it was hoped that there would be provision to pay with a normal bank card.

Concerns were shared that there were insufficient metals to produce batteries for more electric cars and concerns that electric cars would be a huge burden on the electric network. In response to these observations, it was recognised that the challenge of encouraging residents in Gwynedd to use electric cars was significant. However, the Assistant Head of Environment emphasised that this project was important as part of the climate change and nature plan's targets.

A question was asked about whether more rapid charging points could be installed in future, as they were currently very popular. It was acknowledged that using more rapid charging points was challenging for the electricity network, but the Department would provide an update to the Committee on this matter in due course.

Assurance was given that work was being undertaken to develop a business plan for the charging points. It was noted that this would enable the Council to consider how to make best use of the money collected from the use of the charging points, and the possibility of using solar panels to power them. It was confirmed that several ideas had been presented and that research was being undertaken to ensure that the best options were chosen. It was added that the Department would provide a report on the project's progress when appropriate. 

It was acknowledged that this change to electric vehicles was a huge change for petrol stations. All opportunities to provide support with this change were welcomed.

RESOLVED

1.    To accept the report, noting the observations made during the discussion.

2.    To ask the Cabinet Member/Environment Department to examine the provision of more rapid charging points

3.    To receive a progress report when timely