The first of 80 Electric Vehicle (EV) charge points we’re planning for 38 public carparks across Devon over the next 12 months are ready for public use.
The charge points are at Dawlish’s Barton Car Park and Dartmouth’s Mayors Avenue Car Park and each has at least two charging bays.
The bays are fully accessible, and the spaces will be for the sole use of electric vehicle charging.
We have delivered the scheme thanks to our partners North Devon Council, Teignbridge District Council, East Devon District Council, West Devon Borough Council, South Hams District Council , ScottishPower and Devon Climate Emergency (DCE).
The remaining 38 sites will be installed in phases and will include:
- South Molton’s Central Car Park
- Castle Market Car Park in Barnstaple
- Wilder Road Car Park in Ilfracombe
Powered by the renewable energy through a green tariff, the charge points are compatible with all makes of EVs and will fully charge a 50 kWh battery in 2-4 hours, providing a range of up to 200 miles depending on vehicle specification.
The rate of charge is dictated by the vehicle’s inverter however these chargers can deliver enough electricity for up to 88 miles of travel in one hour. This means the points are ideal for both shorter stops, such as shopping trips, and regular charges by residents.
As these points are for public use, they are also available for visitors of Devon wishing to charge their electric vehicle.
The cost to fully charge a 50 kWh battery, providing a range of up to 200 miles, would be in the region of £17.50.
For ease of use, drivers will be able to pay via ScottishPower’s SP Recharge app, which is free to download, or through a scannable QR code which will be displayed on the charge point. ScottishPower does not charge a subscription fee or a minimum vend. Users may need to purchase a parking ticket as normal, please check at each site.
These charging points are part of the larger DELETTI programme, a £1.3 million project which is being largely funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
It’s an essential part of Devon’s Carbon Plan, the county’s road-map to net-zero, which is being published by the DCE this summer.
The Plan calls for the ‘decarbonisation’ of on-road transportation which causes almost 30 per cent of Devon’s carbon emissions.
Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport said:
“When seeking to reduce Devon’s carbon emissions it is essential that we provide the tools which will enable our residents to access certain lifestyle changes. On-road transportation makes up a large percentage of Devon’s carbon emissions, meaning taking petrol and diesel cars off the roads could make a significant impact towards our goal of net zero by 2050. Providing reliable electric vehicle charging points helps us to facilitate our community’s involvement in reducing their personal carbon footprints, from which everyone will benefit.”
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highway Management said:
“We know that most people are open to the idea of owning or driving EVs and that from 2030 in England and Wales the Government will prohibit the sale of petrol and diesel cars. Therefore, it is vital that we are prepared, and Devon has the infrastructure which we may all soon rely upon. By placing these charging points in key towns, we hope the convenience, increased availability and ease of payment will remove the stigma around owning an electric car to increase the uptake.”
Scottish Power’s Smart Solutions Director, Chris Carberry said:
“ScottishPower is excited to be working Devon and all the project partners involved in the Deletti programme. This is one of many such projects that demonstrates our commitment to speeding up the transition to cleaner electric transport, improving air quality and over time, driving down cost, all to deliver a better future, quicker for everyone.”