With regards to the EV charge points at Aldens Road, Exeter, how many vehicles have used these charging points since they were installed?
This information is exempt from disclosure under Section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Commercial Interests). Devon County Council (DCC) can confirm the requested information is held; however, it’s disclosure would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of ourselves and our providers.
This is because sharing information which relates to our providers revenue/profit directly could then be used by their competitors – for example, to identify best performing sites and install their own chargepoints nearby to attract existing customers. Releasing this data could make it difficult for DCC to enable further chargepoints as chargepoint operators would be less willing to enter into agreements with us if their commercial data effectively becomes open to all.
The Council has considered the public interest in releasing this information and recognises there is a public interest in openness and transparency. However, there is a counter argument in favour of non – disclosure where disclosure would reduce our ability to negotiate or compete in a commercial environment and we therefore, consider that the public interest lies in withholding the information.