Over 1000 electric vehicle charge points in Scotland

ChargePlace Scotland now has over 1000 publicly available electric vehicle charge points.

This is a milestone moment in the continued development of one of the most comprehensive electric vehicle charging networks in Europe. The average distance between any given location to the nearest public charging point is just 2.78 miles in Scotland – compared to 3.77 miles in England.

ChargePlace Scotland will continue to develop and it was announced earlier this year that 800 more public charging points are planned through the Switched on Towns and Cities Challenge Fund and the Local Authority Installation Programme. This far exceeds the 2018 Programme for Government commitment to deliver 150 new public charge points and demonstrates the Scottish Government’s determination to phase out the need for new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2032. 

The Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson made the announcement as he visited East Ayrshire Council’s first fully electric car park on Waterside Street in Kilmarnock. The council have received over half a million pounds in 2018/19 from the Scottish Government to support this project and others.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said: 

“World-class charging infrastructure is critical in developing range confidence and encouraging people to make the switch to electric vehicles. At the same time, the continued development of our infrastructure sends a global message that Scotland is ready for a revolution in e-mobility.

“The uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles is central to our Energy Strategy, our Climate Change Plan and our goal of making Scotland’s air quality the best in Europe. It’s fantastic that Scotland now benefits from over 1000 charge points including close to two hundred 50 kilowatt rapid chargers.

“I’m proud to make this announcement from Kilmarnock where East Ayrshire Council have recently opened their first electric car park. Every bay can support electric vehicle charging and this level of ambition supports our ambition to phase out the need for new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2032.“

Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of East Ayrshire Council said: 

“Within East Ayrshire we are investing in infrastructure for our own electric fleet vehicles and for the travelling public. The extensive programme will see charging points being installed in over 20 locations, ensuring that electric vehicles become a clear choice for consumers.

“Improving infrastructure and connectivity in East Ayrshire will help to extend economic opportunity, attracting new investment to protect existing jobs and creating new employment opportunities.”

Notes to editors

The 2017 Programme for Government outlined the vision to phase out the need for new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2032. Our focus is incentivisation and infrastructure delivery, thereby creating the conditions which make ultra-low emission vehicles the natural choice for buyers by the end of 2032.

The 2018 Programme for Government outlined a number of new commitments which included adding 1500 new charge points in homes, businesses and communities including 150 new public charge points.

ChargePlace Scotland is the network of over 1000 publicly available charge points funded by the Scottish Government through Transport Scotland. This network is one of the most comprehensive in Europe. A full map of publicly available chargers can be accessed from the ChargePlace Scotland website.

A range of loans and grants to incentivise the uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles are funded by the Scottish Government and delivered through our partners at Energy Saving Trust:

Interest free loans of up to £35,000 repayable over a 6 year period are available to consumers resident in Scotland to fund the cost of new electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Interest free loans of up to £120,000 (Maximum £35,000 per vehicle) repayable over a 6 year period are available to businesses located in Scotland to fund the cost of new electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles and other carbon saving measures.

Interest-free loans of up to £120,000 repayable over a 6 year period are available, to enable owners and operators of hackney cabs to replace cabs that are more than 8 years old with new, efficient models with emission standard Euro 6.

Grants are available to help fund home charging points by offering grants of up to £300 towards the cost of installation on top of the £500 provided by the UK Government.

These initiatives complement and are in addition to the plug-in vehicle grant offered by the UK Government.

In addition, our Switched On Fleets initiative is aimed at decreasing the number of fossil-fuelled vehicles within Scotland’s public sector fleets and has already seen the introduction of over 1000 electric vehicles across the public sector.

Separate to grants and loans for electric vehicles, over half a million pounds has also been provided to support electric vehicle car club schemes. The Plugged-In Households initiative provides affordable access to electric vehicles across the country and offers a viable alternative to car ownership for tenants, staff and nearby residents of supported social housing providers. A second round is now open.

Our support for e-mobility extends to e-bikes as we work to build an Active Nation. We have established interest-free loans of up to £6000 to enable individuals to purchase e-bikes and e-cargo bikes. For community groups, public and third sector organisations, a third round of the E-Bike Grant Fund is currently open, with £1.14m available purchase of e-bikes, e-cargo bikes, adapted bikes and associated safety equipment.