In line with the Scottish Government’s vision for the public electric vehicle charging network, significant private investment will be required to grow the network and pace and scale. This funding is targeted in a way which draws in private sector investment, with a particular focus on more rural areas of Scotland, which is reflected in the financial awards.

The funding will enable local authorities to work with the private sector to continue to grow Scotland’s public EV charging network. This is achieved through partnership working with the private sector to operate existing EV charge points and deliver new EV charge points. The benefits for the public will be the introduction of more new and more reliable EV charge points across Scotland – supporting the Scottish Government’s commitment to phasing out the need for new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030, reducing transport emissions and protecting the climate.

Cabinet secretary for transport, Fiona Hyslop, said: “I’m pleased that the Scottish Government is providing over £7 million in targeted support to attract in further private investment in our publicly accessible electric vehicle charging network.

“The scale of our ambition to decarbonise transport cannot be met alone and I expect that our commitment for approximately 24,000 additional public charge points by 2030 will largely be met by the private sector. This can only happen, however, if the conditions exist to support this investment – which is exactly what our Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund is working to achieve and with a particular focus in our rural and island communities.

“As a direct result of previous investment, per head of population, Scotland has more public EV charge points than any other part of the UK, except London. We also benefit from more rapid public EV charge points than any other UK region.

“We have over 5600 currently and we are well on target to have 6000 public EV charge points by 2026, through increasing private sector investment – with the private sector investing between £40 and £55 million in public EV charging in Scotland in 2024 alone.”

Vicky Read, CEO of ChargeUK, added: “ChargeUK’s members stand ready to deliver the Scottish Government’s vision of a just transition to electric vehicles, through investment in charging infrastructure at pace and scale. The first Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund awards are an important and welcome step in delivering the vision.

“Our members will invest over £6 billion in rolling out EV infrastructure before 2030 to provide affordable and convenient charging for all in every part of the UK. Key to achieving that aim is effective partnership with the UK’s governments and local authorities.

“This first tranche of funding is encouraging and we look forward to unlocking further support through this scheme to ensure motorists across Scotland are confident that EV charging infrastructure is not just there for them today but into the future too.”

Jim Savege, chief executive, Aberdeenshire Council and on behalf of the North of Scotland Partnership, commented: “The commitment to and journey towards net zero is a significant challenge for us all, and one that requires leadership and activity at scale and pace. We are proud to come together as a ground-breaking consortium covering Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen City, Moray and Highland Council areas with this significant investment in our EV charging infrastructure across our diverse urban and rural communities.

“We are looking for a private sector partner to work with us and co-invest alongside us, a partner who has the same ambition and commitment to net zero, and who has the scale, reach and commitment to work with communities across the North of Scotland as we change our approach to travel and connectivity across the area.”