Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council councillors have access to a reduced-rate electric vehicle charging point at the civic centre through a private code, while the public pays a higher tariff.

The charger, located in the members' car park at Lagan Valley Island, is one of five EV chargers on site. A council officer confirmed the cost is slightly below street tariffs, citing maintenance costs for public chargers.

Independent councillor Gary Hynds raised the matter at a regeneration committee, asking for clarification on whether councillors and officers paid for charging. He referenced a developing situation at Stormont over EV charging practices.

Two years ago, the council set a public rate of 40p per kilowatt-hour, which a DUP councillor described at the time as the lowest among Northern Ireland councils. Home charging costs approximately 28p per kWh.

At that meeting, a council officer disclosed the existence of a private code for members. Alliance councillor Martin Gregg warned that the arrangement could be perceived as preferential treatment.

Sinn Fein and the SDLP have stated their councillors do not use the council's EV chargers. A DUP spokesperson said none of the party's elected members on the council own an electric vehicle.

The council recently partnered with charge point operator Weev to install two on-street public chargers. Belfast City Council is the only other local authority known to offer free EV charging for members' vehicles.