Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

EV Infrastructure Vision

EV Infrastructure Vision

A key project contributing positively towards the above targets is The Local Authority Installation Programme (LAIP). Funded by Transport Scotland, this annual programme further developed the EV public charging network so that EV drivers can confidently travel throughout Scotland - in both urban and rural locations. This programme includes the Electric A9 project.

In January 2022, Scottish Government published its draft vision for Scotland's Public Electric Vehicle Charging Network and launched a new public EV Infrastructure Fund (EVIF) designed to support the growth of the public EV infrastructure network. This vision changes the approach used to provide capital funding to local authorities for the installation of EV infrastructure. The new EV Infrastructure Funding programme (EVIF) offers £60 million over the next four years (2022-26) with approximately half of this funding anticipated to be invested from the private sector. As part of this fund, six Pathfinder projects were developed to speed up the development of new strategies and help identify charge point requirements across Scotland.

We are in collaboration with Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council, received Scottish Government funding to undertake a Pathfinder Project. The purpose of this project was to identify the future expansion plan for charging infrastructure and assess various delivery models and commercialisation opportunities. The Pathfinder project has provided information on the required level of infrastructure, possible delivery models, level of funding required and next steps. The report is in draft form and not yet finalised.

In November 2022, an EV Infrastructure Commercialisation Options paper (Item 7) was presented to the Climate Change Committee and it was agreed to take the Pathfinder project forward to a Discovery Phase. This included issuing a PIN notice by the end of the year, and then to progress to formal tender stage next year. The PIN notice would test the market and enable the Council to take forward these choices/ preferences and develop them further through market consultation

As part of a wider Strategic Control Plan (SCP), The Highland Council has published a vision for electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. The vision is set out below (v1.2).

Factoring in the unique challenges of the region, we will deliver Highland solutions for Highland challenges. Our ambition is to create Scotland's greenest transport system across its largest area.

We will spearhead the development of a regional electric vehicle (EV) network, further supporting our climate change commitments and accelerating the transition to low carbon transport for The Highland Council and its communities.

We want to be a leading authority to help bridge low carbon connectivity for, and to, our city and rural communities. We will do this by adhering to the following -

• As the gateway to rural and island communities we will ensure equality of access to EV charging infrastructure
• Support economic recovery through investment in local EV infrastructure
• Enabling integrated transport initiatives for all by expanding provision for local residents, tourists and visitors
• Wherever feasible, maximise our use of natural resources to deliver sustainable, locally generated solutions
• Consider emerging technologies to ensure appropriate solutions are appraised as the sector and market evolves
• Support climate change targets through the electrification of The Highland Council fleet
• Attract external investment to progress our vision

The vision supports government ambitions by delivering/supporting projects and initiatives that contribute positively towards current targets:

• Scottish Government: to phase out the need for new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030
• UK Government: to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars (excluding some hybrids) from 2030

The Strategic Control Plan (SCP) is in development and seeks to accelerate delivery by improving the early planning/management of projects. The SCP was developed by officers from the Climate Change & Energy Team and the Transformation Team.

Read the full EV infrastructure vision