Council chiefs were asked if they would build petrol stations in Dalry or West Kilbride after electric car charging points were installed.

Vehicle charging points in West Kilbride and Dalry were questioned by Independent Cllr Robert Barr last week [February 17] – with motorists in both towns not having a petrol station.

The council leader Joe Cullinane was questioned on who paid for these charging points, after the installation in West Kilbride’s Main Street back in July 2019 and one rapid EV charger in Smith Street Car Park, Dalry in January 2021.

Cllr Cullinane confirmed costs are met by Transport Scotland while the electricity is paid for by NAC – with the Depute Provost and Dalry and West Kilbride councillor questioning if the council was for ‘the few and not the many’.

Cllr Cullinane said: “Officers are currently finalising an Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy which will be considered by Cabinet shortly and will provide details of how we intend to encourage and facilitate the increased use of electric vehicles across North Ayrshire as part of our commitment towards becoming carbon net zero by 2030.”

Cllr Barr said: “I’m not sure about the council paying for electricity and you can charge your car for free – I can’t get that out my mind – but These towns in my ward, unlike nearly every other town in North Ayrshire, do not have a filling station in them. Would the council consider building filling stations in these two towns? Or are we operating for the few and not the many?”

Cllr Cullinane said: “If Cllr Barr wants to develop a plan for a municipal filling station in Dalry or West Kilbride I’m sure we would look at that favourably.

“The direction of travel set out by national government is to move away from fuel powered cars and towards electric vehicles. We are developing our own proposals to meet that deadline.”