To ask the Minister for Infrastructure (i) whether e-carNI charge points are classed as parking spaces; (ii) whether they are subject to parking charges introduced by local councils; and (iii) in relation to the limited network and mileage restrictions, for her assessment of the impact of parking charges at e-carNI charge points on e-car vehicle users.

Parking spaces or bays are situated within the parking place and are defined in legislation as “a space which is marked out in a parking place for the leaving of a vehicle” (Road Traffic and Vehicles Off-Street Parking Order (Northern Ireland) 2000 & The Parking Places on Roads (Electric Vehicles) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012). As such, e-carNI charge points are not classed as parking spaces.

Electric vehicle (EV) drivers are subject to the same parking charges in council car parks as drivers of internal combustion engine vehicles. They can avail of EV charge points located within the car park, at no extra cost, having paid for their allocated time to use the council car park.

At present, the Department does not charge EV drivers for parking their vehicle on-street in a parking place for electric vehicles. The impact of parking charges for EV drivers using council car park facilities are no different to other users of these car parks given that, at present, ESB does not charge e-car drivers for using their network of charge points in the North. There is no evidence to suggest that parking charges at e-carNI charge points has any impact on e-car vehicle users.

There are currently just under 3,000 EVs registered in the North and 337 public charge points. The number of EVs coming to the market is increasing year on year with significant increases in vehicle range. I fully recognise the importance of having a modern, reliable public electric vehicle charging infrastructure which provides confidence for users of ultra-low emission vehicles.