Charging points for electric vehicles installed at St Albans leisure centre
Fast charging points for electric vehicles have been installed at a St Albans car park to help motorists switch from fossil fuels.
The initiative is part of St Albans City and District Council’s commitment to cut harmful carbon emissions and tackle the climate emergency.
Three dual charging points, which can be used by up to six vehicles at time, have been placed at Westminster Lodge car park as part of a pilot scheme.
Drivers will be able to pay for the electricity they use on their mobile phone by downloading an app. There is no connection or subscription fees and no minimum spend.
The Council intends to install further points across the District once it has evaluated the outcome of the trial.
Electric Blue, which is based in St Albans, was appointed to install, maintain and operate the chargers on the Council’s behalf.
Councillor Chris White, Leader and Portfolio Holder for Climate, Environment and Transport, said:
These chargers are in a prime location, easy to use and by following simple instructions, people can pay via their phone.
As a Council, we are pledged to turn the District carbon neutral by 2030 when the sale of new petrol and diesel driven cars is due to have been banned.
One issue that is preventing people from switching to electric is a concern that there is not enough public charging points.
We have promised, despite the pressure on our finances, to create more points for residents and visitors. The chargers here, sited beside the District’s busiest leisure centre and recreational park, is a step in that direction.
We’ll be examining the success of this pilot project, seeing what lessons need to be learned and hopefully setting up more points in the near future. People want to switch to electric to do their bit for the environment and we must encourage that.
With the support from the Energy Saving Trust, the Council obtained 75% of the cost of the £17,000 project from the Government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles.
To use the points, motorists will simply need to download Electric Blue’s app. They provide up to 30 miles of range for each hour of charge.
Electric Blue’s Chief Executive Officer Dan O’Hara said:
We’re thrilled to be supporting the team in St. Albans on their mission to create a carbon neutral city. They’re a particularly important partnership for us as this is our home city, a city we love and chose as the base for our business.
Our mission at Electric Blue is to help reduce our collective carbon footprint and improve the air quality in our towns and cities. The installation of more electric charging points is another great step towards a greener and cleaner future.
“We hope that today’s three new dual chargers in the city at Westminster Lodge on top of those we installed in the city last year will encourage more drivers to switch to electric vehicles and ultimately help deliver cleaner air for everyone in St. Albans.
Picture: Cllr Chris White and Electric Blue CEO Dan O’Hara at the Westminster Lodge charging points.
Councillor contact:
Councillor Chris White, Leader and Portfolio Holder for Climate, Environment and Transport, Email: cllr.c.white@stalbans.gov.uk
Tel: 01727 845300.
Contact for the media: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer: 01727-819533; john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.
Contact for Electric Blue: Ruby Short, Miles Markham or Vicki Hughes: eb@fugupr.com, 01273 327514