Drivers to have their say on EV charging points

Drivers are being asked to suggest locations for new electric vehicle (EV) charging points across East Yorkshire.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) said it would invest £100,000 as part of a new scheme to bring more on and off-street charging points to council-run car parks in the region.

A consultation website has been launched by ERYC to gather views from residents, businesses and councils on where the new EV charging points are needed.

Councillor Paul West, the council's cabinet member for environment and transport, said: "Electric vehicles are our future and we need to prepare for how widespread they will become and promote the benefits of driving them."

ERYC's consultation website includes an interactive map of East Yorkshire which people can use to give their suggestions.

Suggested areas so far include Moorfield Road Car Park and the Market Place in Bridlington, near North Sands beach and near Flamborough Library.

The council said the locations suggested would be "subject to feasibility in terms of cost, consultation, power grid capacity and ensuring there is an even fair and equitable distribution across the authority".

West said: "As we expand our infrastructure to prepare for more electric vehicles on our roads, we want to hear from people who might not have access to their own charging points and may rely on public chargers, or where would be the most convenient sites for all motorists to charge up."

Lee Williamson, owner of used car dealer LW Motors in Bridlington, believed that the scheme would be a "complete waste of money."

He said: "We hate electric cars, we don't sell them, they're not fit for purpose. You can't go on any long journeys with them.

"If I have to start selling electric cars, I'll retire first."

However, Michelle Smith, office manager at East Riding Energy Ltd, a renewable energy contractor which installs EV chargers, said: "There's definitely a need for them.

"We fit quite a lot of EV chargers to be honest, more at people's houses.

"If people are making longer journeys, it's going to help with that.

"It's a case of having to get used to them."

The project has been created in advance of the government-funded Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) programme, which will see a further rollout of EV charging points in the area.

The LEVI programme, which ERYC said was anticipated to start before the end of the year, will focus on delivering charging points to on-street residential areas where there is limited or no available off-street parking.

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