Repayment for Free EV Charging at Stormont
Civil servants who have charged their electric vehicles for free at Stormont are expected to reimburse the cost of electricity used, according to Speaker Edwin Poots.
This announcement coincides with the decision to implement a new electric vehicle (EV) charging system at Stormont, which will require payment for all future charging sessions.
MLAs to Reimburse Public Funds
Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) who utilized the six EV charging points at Parliament Buildings will also be asked to repay the public purse for the electricity consumed.
The decision follows an investigation by NI, which revealed that some MLAs were charging their EVs without charge while simultaneously receiving a travel allowance.
It was noted that the use of the charging points by MLAs was permitted under existing rules.
New EV Charging System and Temporary Suspension
On Monday at Stormont, Speaker Edwin Poots confirmed that after a meeting of the Assembly Commission, responsible for the estate, a new EV charging system will be introduced requiring users to pay per charge.
Until the new system is operational, the current six EV charging points will remain out of service.
"Officials will engage with members who have been using the EV system to arrange reimbursement," he said.
Expectations for Civil Servants to Repay
Speaking earlier on BBC Radio Ulster's Nolan Show, Poots expressed his view that civil servants who used the free charging points should also be expected to repay the costs.
"People who used them should repay and I extend that to officials as well as politicians," he said.
