Extra cost for bank card use at car charge points
GUERNSEY’S electric car charging points could be changed to accept debit and credit cards, but it would cost more, a States spokesman has said.
There are four States-owned electric vehicle charging sites. Three are in Town – at North Beach, Salerie and Odeon car parks – with the fourth in St Sampson’s at Le Crocq.
All have two 7.2kw charging units and can be accessed by using the Plug-N-Go app on a smartphone.
However there is no option to use a credit or debit card.
‘The States are keen to ensure that government is able to meet demand for infrastructure at an appropriate pace and at reasonable cost,’ the spokesman said.
‘Although the number of electric vehicles on our roads increases year on year, we do not yet have adequate data to understand the demand for public charging facilities or the preferred methods of payment. This information will be gathered so that we can ensure the infrastructure provided is fit for purpose.’
He said the equipment installed is technically capable of accepting cards, but it would come at an additional cost.
‘At this time there are a number of other ways of paying, which includes by smartphone or by calling a phone number which is displayed on the signage at the charging sites,’ he said.
‘Users can also arrange to get a special key fob to use the charging units without a smartphone.
‘No concerns have yet been raised about these payment methods, but as the number of electric vehicles owned by islanders, or visitors to Guernsey, increases, it’s important that we have the infrastructure in place to keep pace with the growth in sustainable transport.’
More information on the technology and locations of charging sites can be found at https://gov.gg/sustainabletransport.
