Scotland publishes draft EV public charging plan
The Scottish Government has published its draft Implementation Plan outlining the actions to deliver its vision for public electric vehicle (EV) charging.
Its plan is for a public EV charging network that is “comprehensive and convenient, meets the needs of all users, is grown with private investment, powered by clean, green energy and complements the wider sustainable transport system”, it said.
Developed in consultation with stakeholders, the draft plan aims to be a forward-looking policy document that identifies 15 key actions to be taken forward by a wide range of stakeholders, including the Scottish Government.
The 15 actions include:
- Develop guidance on cross pavement charging
- Build local capacity
- Use open-source data to review local public EV charging provision
- Provide accessible charging infrastructure
- Agree quality standards that go beyond UK regulations
- Ensure an affordable network: Tariffs should be fair, sustainable and enabling
- Convene key stakeholders to identify measures to continue to improve the consumer experience
- Continue to enable private investment in public EV charging
- Collaborate to remove barriers to grid connection
- Continue transition to a public charging network that is largely financed and delivered by the private sector
- Support activities to reduce connection costs impacting commercial investment
- Facilitate collaboration to address challenges in delivering public EV charging
- Mapping of multi-modal, multi-energy locations
- Policy certainty: Maintain a consistent policy approach to transport decarbonisation
- Use open-source data to monitor the rollout of public EV charging across Scotland
In the foreword to the plan, Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said:
“Over the next decade, electric vehicles will play a critical part in our ambitions to cut emissions and to address climate change. Electric cars and vans will be key to how people, goods and services move around Scotland and beyond. We need to ensure that all parts of Scotland can benefit from this switch, that no one and no part of the country is left behind.
“We have already seen significant growth in the level of private investment in public EV charging infrastructure essential to support the transition to net zero transport. This draft Implementation Plan outlines how the private sector will take on a leading role, setting out the actions necessary to realise the ambition of our Vision, which is to give Scotland a well-designed, accessible, comprehensive, and convenient public charging network that works for everyone.”
Responding to the implementation plan, Stuart Tolley, GEO Director at charge point expert Virta, said:
“Scotland has a strong track record when it comes to being at the centre of tackling climate change, and its stance on EV charging is testament to this. The rest of the UK should really sit up and take notice. But although Scotland is ahead of the game, much more needs to be done.
“Transport is responsible for most greenhouse gas emissions, and the switch away from petrol and diesel vehicles is a tangible measure which can have an immediate impact. But to achieve the idea of eMobility, it must be made easy, cost effective and accessible for all. That means more investment in infrastructure.
“Not only do private businesses hold the key to this, but those that ignore the opportunity could miss out.
“EV charging is becoming an expectation at amenities, attractions and hotels and this represents a tremendous opportunity for businesses to get in at the ground level.”
Vicky Read, CEO of ChargeUK said:
“The Transport for Scotland implementation plan acknowledges that for the rollout to go further and faster, we need the support of DNOs and local authorities and we are looking forward to working with the Scottish Government to deliver this.”
