Electric vehicle points start charging

From 3 April 2023, Hastings Borough Council has made the difficult decision to introduce a cost for the use of its electric vehicle charging points. This outcome has come after providing 10 years of free charging and is due to the council's current financial position and the increasing cost of electricity.

Cllr Paul Barnett, leader of Hastings Borough Council, explained:

"We know covering the cost of EV charging has been beneficial for those wishing to do their bit in tackling climate change by driving electric vehicles, but unfortunately the council cannot continue to subsidise this.

"We are still focused on tackling climate change and working towards the borough becoming carbon neutral by 2030. But with costs for essential services, like housing rising significantly and with the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, changes have needed to be made so we can support residents in need.

Cllr Ali Roark, lead for Environment at the council, said:

"The council's charging points will now cost £3.50 per hour at the Carlisle Parade, Priory Street and Marina car parks and £2.00 at Pelham Place Car Park and Bulverhythe Retail Park. This is still significantly lower than filling up a car with petrol or diesel and also much better for the environment.

"Thank you to everyone who already uses electric vehicles in our town for continuing to play an important part in reducing carbon emissions and I hope that in the very near future more people will be able to access environmentally-friendly modes of transport - for this to happen we need our local, regional and public transport infrastructure to be urgently upgraded to reflect the reality of the climate emergency."

More information on council owned electric vehicle charging points can be found at www.hastings.gov.uk/parking/ev.