A moment ‘in Malta only’ … in Gozo
Two parking spaces in Gozo, reserved for owners of electric vehicles to charge their cars, are located about 20 meters away from the charging pillar – too far to reach the cables.
The pillar is actually across the road and, even when pulled to their maximum length, the cables are too short to reach the car in the reserved space.
It can be called a ‘Malta only’ case. Except that the pillar is located in Triq Santa Marija, Qbajjar, near the seaside town of Marsalforn.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Energy said they had been informed of the situation and were working to resolve it.
The charging pillar will be moved and erected next to the parking spaces, he said.
“A contractor has been hired and will be starting the work needed to move the charging pillar this month.
“Parking signs and bays have been prepared in advance for this change, at the location where the new charging pillar will be,” the spokesman said.
This particular charging pillar has been shaken since it was erected last year, when Lovin Malta reported that residents complained that it was placed right in front of its terrace on the ground floor without permission and was obstructing the view of the sea.
At that time, a councilor from Żebbuġ said that the local council was not aware that charging pillars had been set up and was not part of the decision.
He said it was “a shame” that it had been installed in front of a residence and would be removed.
The Ministry of Energy has been increasing the charging stations of electric vehicles around the two islands as it seeks to increase greener energy consumption.
As of March this year, there have been 6,000 registered electric vehicles on the country’s roads.
The government has invested € 3 million, partly from EU funds, to increase the number of charging stations from 102 last year to 362 in 70 localities.
Okay … do that 361.
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