The Scottish government has awarded more than £3m to expand public EV charging in the north-west of the country.
Led by HITRANS, the north-west Scotland EV Infrastructure Fund project is delivering the funding to the Argyll and Bute, Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles councils.
It is the latest award in the Transport Scotland’s £30m EV Infrastructure Fund, announced in 2022.
Since 2011, the Scottish government has provided more than £65m in public EV charging and the country now has about 7,000 public charge points.
Data published in 2024 found that per head of population, Scotland has more public EV charge points than any other part of the UK, except London.
In June 2023, the Scottish government published its EV charging vision, setting out plans for future charging network growth, including opening up ChargePlace Scotland (CPS) to private sector investment.
Also, the Government’s EV Infrastructure Fund is to target public funding at less commercially viable sites, particularly for rural and island communities.
Ranald Robertson, HITRANS partnership director, said: “Our aim is to grow a regional charging network that is financially self-sustaining and locally powered as much as possible.
“This investment will help support a just transition to a more environmentally sustainable, reliable and affordable transport network.”
Argyll and Bute Council already has 37 EV chargers and has identified more than 80 potential sites for new electric chargers in the area.
Councillor John Armour, policy lead for roads, transport and amenity services, at Argyll and Bute Council said, “This funding will enable us to start looking at what is affordable and how we prioritise the development of the network.”
