ISLANDERS with electric vehicles will be unable to access cheaper off-peak rates at newer charging points until the end of August, due to IT issues caused by a network upgrade.
Jersey Electricity has announced that it is in the process of upgrading its vehicle charging network from the Charge Your Car system to Evolve, which involves completely replacing JE’s existing units.
A statement from the company said the changes would take ‘several weeks’ and that the project was expected to be completed by late August.
It continued: ‘To ensure minimum disruption, JE will operate the old and new charging networks in tandem. One issue caused by running both systems in tandem means off-peak tariffs can only be operated on the old system until the new charging system is fully commissioned.
‘An off-peak rate will be introduced across the new upgraded charging network once roll-out is complete, enabling those without off-street charging to access low-cost charging overnight.
‘The new Evolve network will also benefit from the removal of a minimum charge fee and the £20 annual fee for a charging card.’
There are currently around 100 vehicle chargers still on the existing network offering the off-peak charging tariff.
Peter Bohea, who uses the new charging points in the First Tower car park, expressed concern after learning that the cheaper rate would not be available for much of the summer.
‘If they are intending to reinstate overnight low tariffs, then they should have been clearer about that,’ he said.
Mr Bohea said he had assumed the overnight rate of 11p per kWh, as opposed to the daytime rate of 21p per kWh, was gone for good.
‘The website gave no specific date for when it would return, and indicated no real commitment to do it,’ he said.
‘They certainly lacked a bit in their communication, and there was no forewarning that this was happening. There was no attempt I’m aware of to contact existing customers to inform them that change was being made.’
JE has said its customer-care team were available to help Islanders experiencing difficulty during the changeover period.
