Scottish Government aims to move ‘further and faster’ on EV charging

The Scottish Government has published a plan it says will go “further and faster” on electric vehicle charging.

Ministers aim to deliver 24,000 more charging points by 2030 after achieving the original target of 6,000 earlier this year.

The target will be paid for mainly by private investment, according to the draft implementation plan published on Monday, with a five-fold increase in funding required in the next six years.

“Transport remains the largest cause of greenhouse gas emissions and EVs enable drivers to take climate action and cutting harmful emissions,” Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said.

“We need to ensure that people from all parts of Scotland can benefit from this switch to EVs, so that no one and no part of the country is left behind.”

“In October 2024, Scotland met its target for 6,000 public EV charge points two years ahead of the 2026 deadline.

“That target was achieved through a combination of public funding and increasing private sector investment. We now need to go faster and further to achieve our ambitions.

“Public money cannot, and should not, support this infrastructure alone.”

“We have already seen significant growth in the level of private sector investment in the public charging infrastructure essential to support the transition to EVs.

“This draft plan outlines how the private sector will take on a leading role, it sets out the actions necessary for us to realise the ambition of our vision, which is to give Scotland a well-designed, accessible, comprehensive, and convenient public charging network that works for everyone.

“Our consultation is now open – and I would encourage anyone with an interest in electric vehicles and public charging to have their say and to help inform our finalised implementation plan which we will publish next year.”

The plan – a consultation about which opened on Monday ahead of the final document being published next summer – laid out 15 actions required from Government, councils and investors.

These include a requirement for local authorities to build capacity in their areas, as well urging operators to provide points which exceed the requirements of the UK-wide regulations and ensure that tariffs remain “fair, sustainable and enabling” for the 80,000 EVs in the country.