Dozens of 'out of action' electric vehicle charging points that have never been connected to a power source will be replaced, but it's been estimated that the work won't be carried out until June 2025.
As previously reported, 32 EV charging points were installed in car parks in Bedale, Northallerton, Stokesley and Thirsk last year as part of a deal struck by the former Hambleton District Council prior to it being merged into North Yorkshire Council.
However, due to the company tasked with installing the charging points, EVS Energy Ltd, becoming insolvent, North Yorkshire Council hasn't been able to access user manuals so it can transfer the work to another contractor.
EVS Energy Ltd is listed on Companies House with the status "active proposal to strike off".
The 32 unconnected chargers in North Yorkshire Council car parks have had plastic bags clipped to them, but in some cases, no signage has been put up to show they are out of use.
'North Yorkshire EV chargers to be replaced in July 2025'
Following the news of the EV charger errors, it's now been confirmed that work might not take place until at least June 2025, due to North Yorkshire Council needing to go through the procurement process to find a new contractor.
At the meeting, Mr Mason said that the replacement of the 32 EV charging points in Bedale, Northallerton, Stokesley and Thirsk would be part of the council's project to introduce 1500 charging points across North Yorkshire in 2025.
As part of this, the assistant director of highways and transportation said that the four locations would get priority, given the problems that had been faced.
But he said that the work would not be carried out until at least June 2025, despite saying that the procurement of a new contractor was 'imminent'.
During the meeting, councillors quizzed Mr Mason on the EV chargers and raised issues with drivers becoming frustrated that the spaces housing the power points are taking up room that could be used for other cars.
Cllr Heather Moorhouse, who said there are also problems in Great Ayton, said at the meeting: "While the parking spaces aren't used for electric cars - they could be put to use as normal spaces. We have a big issue with parking in Great Ayton.
"I can't fully understand why we can't get the paperwork and plans from the contractor that has gone under, it's very frustrating but we have to move forward as a council."
Responding to Cllr Moorhouse's concerns, Mr Mason said that the spaces would be freed up for normal cars until the work is done to install new EV chargers in 2025.
Speaking previously on the issue with EV chargers, a spokesperson for North Yorkshire Council said: "Following the insolvency of EVS Energy Ltd, the electric vehicle charging point (EVCP) supplier in the former Hambleton area, the chargers had to be switched off until a new operator could be procured, and they could be maintained and repaired or replaced. This was for the safety of the public and to prevent any possible risk posed by the chargers.
"EVS Energy was also the manufacturer of the product, and they did not share any specifications, user manuals or provide access to a back-office system and as a result no routine maintenance or repairs can be made to the EVCPs. The only option is to replace them."
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