Using low emission vehicles in major roads projects is a key
example of how public sector procurement can support the Scottish
Government’s ambition to phase out the need for new petrol and
diesel cars by 2032.
For the first time, Transport Scotland has stipulated the use of
a number of electric and low-emission vehicles by its site
monitoring team on a major road construction contract bringing
benefits to the environment while lowering fuel costs for
contractors and public sector fleets.
Following a visit to the A737 Dalry Bypass construction site,
Minister for Transport, provided
a video
message and undertook a trip in one of the
site’s low-emission vehicles.
He said:
“I am delighted to see the continued progress on the Dalry Bypass
with work clearly visible across the route. This is a key
improvement to the road network in the southwest of Scotland and
it is encouraging to see the use of electric and low-emission
vehicles here on site.
“We have committed to phase out the need for new petrol and
diesel cars by 2032 and we continue our efforts to transform
public sector fleets and rollout the use of electric and
low-emission vehicles where possible on future road construction
projects.”
The A737 Dalry Bypass, which is being constructed by Contractor
Farrans Roadbridge Joint Venture will encourage improved economic
and employment opportunities through more reliable journey times
for motorists and businesses along the length of the A737. In
addition, the Dalry Bypass will help separate local and strategic
traffic, leading to improved safety for both rural road users and
communities. Completion is expected by the end of 2019.
Notes to editors
Transport Scotland appointed contractor Farrans Roadbridge Joint
Venture in May 2017 to construct the bypass. The project involves
the construction of a 3.8km kilometre bypass along with two
new roundabouts, at Hillend and Highfield, and a viaduct to carry
the new road over the River Garnock and the Glasgow to Ayr
railway line.
The A737 Dalry Bypass is the first major road construction
contract to stipulate that the Contractor must provide the site
monitoring team with low-emission vehicles. There are four
vehicles and a charging point on site
The Programme for Government sets a bold new vision on ultra-low
emission vehicles, with a target to phase out the need for new
petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2032.
This vision is underpinned by the ‘Switched on Scotland Action
Plan’ and builds on the range of incentives we already provide to
local authorities, businesses and individuals. The Action Plan
sets out a range of actions that the Scottish Government will
take forward with partners to decrease costs; enhance
convenience; and change culture to where electric vehicles are
preferred to fossil fuelled vehicles.
Drivers of EVs in Scotland benefit from one of the most
comprehensive charge point networks in Europe through ChargePlace
Scotland. There are currently more than 800 publicly available
charge points on the ChargePlace Scotland network, including over
175 rapid charge points, and the average distance from any given
location to the nearest public charge point is just 2.78 miles in
Scotland – the lowest in Great Britain where the average is 4.09
miles. For more information visit www.chargeplacescotland.org.
