Scottish EV charging vision aims to attract private investment

The Scottish Government is to launch a new public electric vehicle charging fund designed to attract investment from the private sector. The Public Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund will provide up to £60 million to local authorities over the next four years with approximately half of this funding anticipated to be invested from the private sector.

Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport Michael Matheson

This programme, says the Government, has the potential to double the size of the public charging network in Scotland.

The announcement of the £60 million fund was made as part of the launch of the Scottish Government’s new draft vision statement for public electric vehicle charging.

During a statement to the Scottish Parliament, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport Michael Matheson explained how the draft vision relates to wider policies, including the commitment to reduce car kilometres travelled by 20% by 2030.

Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport Michael Matheson said, “I’m pleased to outline a new vision for the public electric vehicle charging network. Even though we prioritise funding in active travel and sustainable public transport, cars and vans will still have a role to play and particularly in rural areas. To meet our climate targets, we need these vehicles to be electric, and so we require a seamless network of public electric vehicle chargers, that works for everyone, all of the time.  

“Our draft vision provides a clear picture of what electric vehicle charging networks must deliver for drivers across Scotland, and our priorities for achieving those changes. We need a just transition, where accessibility, availability and reliability is key and where no one is left behind from the positive shift to zero emission transport system – including rural and island communities.

“We have invested over £50 million to create a network with over 2,100 public charge points across Scotland. With demand for electric vehicles rapidly increasing thanks to government incentives and support – public and private sector partnerships will now be key in attracting investment and scaling provision at pace. The £60m Public Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund will draw in and smooth commercial investment so that the future charging network works for everyone, while at the same time potentially doubling the size of our public network here in Scotland.”

And writing in the vision statement foreword Cabinet Secretary Matheson expanded, “The scale and pace of investment in public electric vehicle charging infrastructure will need to accelerate over the coming years to meet demand and it would be impractical for the public sector alone to fund the investment needed.

“We’ve now reached the next stage of the journey, where the opportunity exists to leverage skills, expertise and investment from the commercial sector to build and operate the public network. Partnership will be key and our local authorities will continue to play a critical role in planning outcomes for local areas, developing partnerships with the private sector and ensuring that public subsidy is focused on those areas of the network where it is needed most.

“We can expect a shift towards a public charging network largely financed and operated by the commercial sector. Whilst this is central to our vision we are not at that point yet. Nor will there be a uniform approach across Scotland to get there. At this stage of the market’s development, public and private sector partnerships will be a key enabler in attracting and making the commercial case for investment viable. The public sector will continue to play an important role in the transition, but the nature of its support will not remain static and it will change over time to meet the needs of different consumers and distinct geographies of Scotland, where, on its own, the market is unable to deliver at the scale and pace required.”

Neil Swanson from the Electric Vehicle Association Scotland said, “We warmly welcome the publication of the draft Vision that puts everyone front and centre of a public electric vehicle charging network that’s fit for the future. The network needs to continue to grow in a way that ensures no part of Scotland is left behind and we will continue to engage with government on how this draft vision can best be realised for the benefit of EV drivers across Scotland.”