Talk about not doing your homework
](./images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall")
To be fair to the driver, though, he looks like a newbie and it looks like the council shoved him towards an EV but without the necessary infrastructure in place
Torbay taxi driver fumes over lack of electric chargershttps://www.devonlive.com/news/local-ne ... er-7526521'The council advised me to buy an electric car to use as a taxi, but there are no fast charging points in Brixham'
Image: Devon LiveTaxi driver Steve Fox has urged Torbay Council to be more switched on to the needs of electric car owners after finding he can’t get the charge he needs in his home town. More electric car charging points are to be installed across Torbay in an eight-year programme to bring the bay into line with the latest developments in transport technology.
But Steve is urging the council to do more after being advised to buy an electric taxi - only to discover he can’t charge it in his home town. Steve, who drives for a local taxi firm, was advised to get himself an electric taxi when he applied to the council for his licence.
He ended up buying a 2018 Nissan which ticked all the boxes for sustainable transport, but only then realised there are no fast charging points in his home town of Brixham. The council says it is working on it.
Steve said: “I’m trying to run a business and I’m getting nowhere with this. I’ve contacted my MP, I’ve contacted Torbay Council and still nothing. I applied to drive a taxi in Torbay and the council advised me to buy an electric car to use as a taxi in the bay, which I have done.
"What I didn’t realise was the fact there are no fast charging points in Brixham, or any at all supplied by Torbay Council. I thought we were supposed to be going all-electric by 2030?
"Not at this rate we won’t. I am having to drive to Paignton on a daily basis to charge my car.”
Steve, who was speaking from a Paignton supermarket car park where his car was on charged, added: “I spoke to a customer yesterday who told me they have two electric cars, but hire a petrol car when they come to Torbay. It’s that bad.
“It’s rather strange to think we are supposed to be going all electric by 2030, but you can’t even charge your car in Brixham.”
Torbay Council says Brixham will be part of its programme of introducing electric charging points. A spokesman said: “We are acutely aware of the need to provide electric charging points across Torbay. We are working with a provider and have awarded a contract for the installation of electric charging points in car parks across Torbay.
“The precise location in Brixham is still being determined as there are several factors to consider. The plan for public charging points has been established and we have a programme through to 2030. In addition, all new developments with parking are required to provide electric vehicle chargers.
“We recognise there is a lot of work to do over the next eight years but with the changes in technology and demand increasing year on year, getting the right provision at the right time is an important factor.”
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