On November 5, 2024, Scottish First Minister John Swinney unveiled a £6.3 million investment fund aimed at further expanding the nation’s electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. This initiative will focus on the Ayrshire and Glasgow City Region, with the goal of adding more than 3,500 new public EV chargers. The move is part of Scotland’s broader ambition to make sustainable travel accessible for everyone, while striving toward its target of phasing out new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.
Strengthening Scotland’s EV Infrastructure
Swinney emphasized the importance of fast-tracking EV infrastructure, stating, “Today’s announcement is clear evidence of our commitment to making sustainable travel accessible for everyone in Scotland.” This expansion is an essential part of the country’s broader effort to build a net-zero Scotland.
Achieving Milestones Ahead of Schedule
Scotland had initially set a goal of 6,000 public charging points by 2026, a target that was reached well ahead of schedule. As of October 31, 2024, there are 6,007 public EV charging points across the country. Melanie Shufflebotham, COO and Co-founder of Zapmap, highlighted the significant growth of the infrastructure, noting that the number of chargers had increased by over 49% since June 2023, when the 6,000 target was first announced.
This rapid growth has largely been driven by public-private partnerships, with the Scottish government investing in initiatives like the £30 million EV Infrastructure Fund. The fund, which includes the £6.3 million earmarked for the Glasgow City Region and Ayrshire, is designed to support local authorities in expanding charging networks.
The Role of the Private Sector
Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop underscored the importance of collaboration with the private sector in this effort. She emphasized that businesses like IONITY are key to scaling up the provision of public EV charging infrastructure across Scotland. Hyslop expressed satisfaction with the results of this approach, which has led to faster delivery and improved reliability of the chargers.
“The matched investment from businesses such as IONITY is helping to scale up the provision of public EV charging across Scotland,” Hyslop said.
Scotland’s Leadership in EV Charging
Scotland’s efforts to expand its charging network have made it a leader in EV infrastructure. The country has invested a total of £65 million in public EV charging since 2011. In addition, it now boasts more public EV charge points per capita than any other part of the UK, with the exception of London.
The expansion of the charging network is a significant step in ensuring that the shift to electric vehicles is supported by the necessary infrastructure. This investment is expected to help make Scotland a model for sustainable transportation, supporting the transition to a greener, more sustainable future.
