New pilot project could let more Fifers charge EV cars at home – if Fife says yes
Councillors in Fife will have the final say on whether residents with electric cars, but who rely on off-street parking, can charge them at home.
A pilot project has been launched by the Scottish Government which can provide grants of up to £3500 to install safe cross-pavement charging, such as flush-fitted gullies or pop-up solutions.
Some local authorities have started to accept permit applications, but Fife is assessing the evidence before making a final decision.
The growth in the EV market has led to a rise in the number of public chargers, but doing that at home with your own charger is significantly cheaper. The problem facing people who don’t have driveways is that they cannot run the cables across a public pavement without causing a hazard.
The issue was raised by Councillor Bailey-Lee Robb, depute leader of the SNP Group at Fife Council, who wrote to the head of roads and transportation services seeking answers on the Transport Scotland’ Cross Pavement Charging Grant’ pilot.
The Cowdenbeath councillor said: “This is an issue that matters to Fifer. Many households have no driveway or off-street parking, and they are asking why the opportunities available elsewhere in Scotland are not available to them.
“Without a safe, approved way to charge at home, they are effectively locked out of cheaper home charging and the transition to electric vehicles. Cables across pavements are a trip hazard, particularly for wheelchair users, parents with prams and people with sight loss, and the Council has a duty to offer a safe alternative.”
He said Fife should be learning from the experience of other local authorities “rather than waiting to be told what to do” and added: “I am urging the Council to get ahead of the curve, learn from the pioneers and be innovative for the sake of Fifers.
Councillor Altany Craik, spokesperson for finance, economy and strategic planning, said the council had to strike a “balanced approach.”
He said: “The challenges faced by residents without access to off-street parking is also acknowledged. We have been reviewing the cross-pavement charging pilot undertaken by Transport Scotland and the experience from participating authorities.
"Any approach adopted in Fife needs to deliver a balanced support for EV uptake with wider responsibilities around pedestrian safety, accessibility, liability, maintenance and the management of the public road network.
"Council officers are currently reviewing the findings from the national pilot programme with a view to preparing a report for elected members, setting out the opportunities, challenges and potential options for Fife.
"We understand why residents are interested in cross-pavement charging solutions and recognise the benefits they may offer to households without driveways.
"However, as roads authority, we must ensure that any solution is safe, accessible and practical for all pavement users. We are therefore monitoring the outcomes of pilot schemes and emerging national guidance before determining what approach may be appropriate for Fife.” He said the next step would be to evaluate the evidence from these pilots and bring a report to elected members “so that any future decisions are informed by national learning and local considerations."