Barcelona begins to charge for using public electric charging points

The development of the electric car can be seen affected due to a possible slowdown in sales with measurements like the one just announced by the Barcelona City Council. And it is that the users of electric vehicles will have to pay from this same month of January to recharge in something more than 500 charging points that the municipal public company B: SM has in Barcelona, ​​since as of next Monday the 18th this service will no longer be free.

The Councilor for Climate Emergency and Ecological Transition, Eloi Badia, explained that the rates They will vary according to the type of user, but there will be a payment of 50 euros per year for private drivers. Badia has pointed out that the recharge service “it should cease to be free by law”, but that prices will be “competitive” for consolidate electric mobility and avoid slowing down its expansion.

For this, several recharge rates have been created according to the type of user, whether they are individuals, professional fleets or motorcycles, and also if the recharging point is in a parking of B: SM or in the Street. In all cases, there will be a minimum recharge that varies according to the type of user and vehicle.

For the users individuals who use the service regularly, an annual subscription of 50 euros (25 euros the first year) has been provided that can be shared with two family members. If you don’t have the compost, charging on the street will cost 0.49 euros / kWh, while if you have the subscription, the price will be 0.40 euros / kWh. Thus, recharging an electric car such as the Hyundai Kona –one of the best-selling electric cars in Spain last year– which has a battery capacity of 64 hWh can mean just over 30 euros, which is equivalent to a cost of use of between 5 and 6 euros every 100 kilometers.

Prices are cheaper in car parks and also in night time: 0.35 euros / kWh with subscription and 0.44 euros / kWh without subscription. In the case of professionals, the annual subscription will be 100 euros, although the first year it will be only 50 euros. In this case, the cost of charging will be 0.40 euros / kWh in daytime hours and 0.35 euros / kWh in night hours for cars and vans. The price is cheaper in car parks and also for motorcycles of professional fleets, which will be 0.30 euros / kWh on the street during daytime hours.

Upset at dealerships

A measure that is causing controversy and malaise among Catalan dealers, who see a more than likely slowdown to sales. Thus, the Catalan Automotive Federation (Fecavem) and the Gremi del Motor of the province of Barcelona see “with surprise and indignation” this new measure that requires paying for the recharging of electric cars. In a statement, both entities have regretted that they are not “taken into account” when making this type of decision and have asked that the transition the rights and obligations of everyone can be made compatible.

Fecavem and Gremi del Motor have proposed new ideas to the council, such as supporting the buyer of an electric vehicle and incorporating new vehicles into the city’s vehicle fleet with the commitment of withdraw those of high seniority, as well as a meeting with the mayor, Ada Colau, to finalize and present the plan.

Even so, both entities have valued positively that the Barcelona City Council keep up bonuses on parking fees in the blue zone and in the Special Tax on mechanical traction vehicles, since they “maintain the user’s interest in the use of more sustainable vehicles.”

They have also argued that electric vehicle is the “optimal solution for many users”, as it is increasingly here I’m on the streets, and brands echo and offer solutions for electric and hybrid engines. The measure, which will come into effect from January 18 and will offer different payment plans, has the objective of promoting a “responsible and sustainable use” of energy and expanding the infrastructure up to 1,000 charging points in 2024.

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