SCOTRAIL is to introduce a tariff for use of its electric vehicle charging points at stations in Inverclyde next week.

Charging points at Greenock Central and Gourock are currently free to all users.

From Monday, a fee of 43p per kilowatt-hour (kWh) will be applied across the ScotRail network.

ScotRail says provision of free charging has helped to promote use of electric cars to reduce carbon emissions – however, the service has come at an annual cost of £700,000 to the train operator.

The rate is said to be ‘similar to most local authorities’ and ‘in the bottom third of tariffs on the ChargePlace Scotland Network’.

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Both Greenock Central and Gourock have two charging points each.

It is hoped the new tariff will discourage non-rail users from blocking the spaces, following regular complaints from ScotRail passengers.

A fixed overstay payment of £12 per 12 hours will also be applied, although customers will be entitled to a refund if a train delay has been the cause.

David Lister, ScotRail’s director of safety, engineering and sustainability, said: “We are committed to providing our customers with the best possible journey experience, and improving the availability of electric vehicle charging points is one of the ways we can do that.

“One of the main complaints we receive is that the charging points at our car parks are currently being blocked by vehicles overstaying, and the tariff from 8 January 2024 will help to remove that issue.

“It is important that ScotRail delivers the best possible value to taxpayers and the charging tariff will ensure that we recover the cost of operating them, allowing funds to be spent on improving rail services.”