Thursday 26 September 2019
The Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure are proposing that public electric vehicle charging stations are added to Salerie Corner, The Odeon and La Crocq Pier at The Bridge.
If approvals are gained, two charging stations would be located in parking spaces at both Salerie Corner and the Odeon car parks, and two charging stations would be installed in the north of the island on La Crocq Pier, St Sampson.
Since the introduction of public E.V. charging stations in January 2018 at North Beach car park, usage has increased from 60 charging sessions in the first six months of 2018, to 146 in the first six months of 2019.
The charging stations can be accessed easily by both locals and visiting drivers through a free app, rather than having to subscribe to a national scheme. The app gives access to the charging and payment systems, details of which are available on the app and on signs at the charging stations themselves. All charging stations in Guernsey can be accessed through the same app. Once charging sessions have finished, users are charged for the electricity that they use through the online payment system.
Temporary signs will shortly be on display at the three locations advising of the proposed changes to parking in the location of the charging units, followed by planning applications. Subject to the necessary approvals, it is estimated installation works could commence in quarter four of this year.
Once the initial infrastructure is in place, additional charging units may be added at the sites as demand increases further.
Deputy Barry Brehaut, President of the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure, said:
"The number of electric, plug in Hybrid and Hybrid vehicles being registered continues to grow year on year in all jurisdictions. At the end of December 2015 there were 28 fully electric vehicles registered on Guernsey, there are now 337 fully electric vehicles registered, along with 444 Hybrids and 36 electric motorcycles.
"While the total number of EV's is around 0.5% of the total number of registered vehicles, it is important that in order to meet environmental objectives, people transition to clean air transport options and this along with improved walking and cycling infrastructure will help support that aim.
"The chosen locations are convenient for people who may not have their own charging stations for example, those who use residential on street, amenity and business parking. Therefore the expansion of publically available E.V. charging network will be of benefit to people who have or importantly, are considering changing to an electric vehicle."
