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09/01/2017

CRACKDOWN ON RIP-OFF CHARGES FOR ELECTRIC CARS

MINISTERS are preparing to tackle overpriced electric car charging amid fears that it can cost as much to run a green vehicle as a conventional diesel.

Rules will be introduced early this year to make roadside pricing for electricity more “consistent and transparent”, so that motorists are not driven away from buying environmentally friendly cars.

The reforms will give motorists access to public charge points without the need for multiple memberships and set common standards for pricing between suppliers. It is understood that ministers could ultimately take further action to bring down prices, including setting maximum charges.

 

The intervention from the Department for Transport comes as concerns have been raised that prices — which can reach £7.50 for a half-hour charge — are too high. In some cases it can bring costs close to those for running a diesel car, it was claimed.