EV Charging Deserts

Norway is unquestionably recognised as the most mature electric vehicle market in the world…but the rest, including Scotland are catching up and fast!

Encouraging news! The Westminster government is to (again) introduce grant incentives of up to £3,750 to buy new electric vehicles (costing under £37,000) whilst simultaneously boosting the country’s charge point infrastructure, all part of a £650 million scheme over the next three years.

New EV discounts will be applied by dealerships across the UK.

Transport Scotland (TS) – the government agency charged with delivering the country’s Vision Implementation Plan says:

“We broadly welcome any incentives that can accelerate the transition to electric vehicles (EVs).

“Since 2011 the Scottish Government has provided interest free loans worth over £230 million to support the purchase over 8,700 zero and ultra-low emission vehicles and recently announced a further £20 million to continue this support.

“One of the key factors in driving the transition to EVs is access to charge points, and Scotland now has one of the most comprehensive public charging networks in the UK – on a per capita basis, Scotland has more rapid public EV charge points than anywhere in the UK outside the South East of England. Our target for 6,000 public charge points was met in October 2024, two years ahead of schedule.

Currently Scotland boasts well over 3,000 public electric vehicle charging stations (and climbing) with many others located in hospitals and clinics, business premises, government buildings and schools, there are still glaring gaps in remote areas particularly in the Highlands, the north east and some western islands where EV charging facilities are limited

TS added: “We have also provided over £19 million for the installation of over 23,000 lower powered charge points at homes and at workplaces. These complement the public charging network and have enabled more individuals and businesses to purchase EVs across Scotland.”

Many challenges to the installation of mains charging in many remote and rural areas remain, including grid and infrastructure constraints, planning barriers and of course financial risks. Some operators regard it as unviable.

To tackle this deficiency, a significant investment in rural charging infrastructures is deemed necessary, ensuring that all communities, regardless of location, have equitable access, say industry experts.

The practicality and costs of delivering power for EV charge points in such locations are inhibitive and remain of major concern to drivers, communities and local authorities located outwith the main central belt of Scotland.

However, as solutions must be found, it is widely recognised that further collaboration with private enterprise funding sources will be required to substantially accelerate progress.

Transport Scotland has a target to enable the installation of approximately 24,000 additional public EV charge points by 2030, largely funded and delivered by the private sector.

It stresses that it is more than just numbers, “it’s about delivering the right types of charge points in the right locations… delivering the EV charging that drivers need, utilising new technology and Scotland’s strengths in renewable energy.”

Understandably, Charge Point Operators (CPOs) will favour locations that have a high density of EV owners and visiting drivers, thus maximising revenue.

Progress continues across the main user areas of the country. Examples of recent investments include Osprey Charging Network Ltd which has just launch a large (16x 300kW) charging hub next to Showcase Cinema on the Phoenix Park near Linwood in Renfrewshire. 

This brings their total to 12 in Scotland with a total of 76 across the UK.

Osprey’s CEO, Ian Johnston understands the importance of Scotland’s charging infrastructure.

He told Auto Scene: “Private investment into high-power charging infrastructure plays a crucial role in enabling more Scottish drivers and businesses to choose to drive electric. At Osprey we are continuing to expand on over 110 charging stations currently live in Scotland. Our three rapid charge points at John O’Groats will soon be joined by Osprey rapid chargers in Wick, providing confidence for travel in the Highlands, and we focus on bringing high-quality on-the-go charging to other rural areas, including along the A9 and A90.”

Yet another two ultra rapid fast charging hubs courtesy of Fastned, have come on stream. The first is located in the west central belt of the country in the coastal town of Greenock – it went live in June. Another “revolutionary indoor charging hub” – is (hopefully) opening soon in Aberdeen.

This brings Fastned’s total to 34 hubs in the UK with four of these in Scotland. That means the company now has over 200 ultra rapid charge points operating throughout the country. More new charging hubs are in development in other Scottish locations.

The company, according to its UK Country Director, Tom Hurst, it is making future decisions on where their chargers are best located based on not just how many EVs are on the roads today but future predicted EV uptake and therefore future demand. “This demonstrates clear confidence in the EV market in the UK and a commitment to the country’s EV transition”, Hurst confirms.

According to  EVA Scotland director Neil Swanson there continues to be problems associated with installing EV charge points in less populated areas of the country and that this continues to be one of the biggest bug-bearers to people and communities transitioning to EVs. These, he says are mostly down to the ability of utility company’s to install sufficient power capacity long distances from where it is generated.

“In rural areas with relatively weak grid infrastructure, charging pods may be the best, most efficient way to improve local capacity, without requiring replacement of existing cables and overhead lines.”

“The number of charge points being installed throughout Scotland is growing by the day and this is because we are well passed the tipping point in the level of EV uptake in Scotland and indeed throughout the UK.”

A £30 million Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund (EVIF) was launched in 2022 to enable Scottish local authorities to work with the private sector and continue to deliver strategic investment in EV charging networks.

New Kid on the Block

If Scotland and indeed the entire UK is to meet its ambitious net zero targets, then “the EV charging infrastructure must rapidly accelerate the rollout through collaboration”…says Deepa Chandrasekaran, Managing Director of ‘Source’ which opened its first branded hub at Ocean Terminal in Edinburgh earlier this year.

He added: “Looking ahead, Scotland remains a strategic growth area for Source with nine sites representing over 100 charging bays already open or under construction. We’re building a network of ultra-rapid charging hubs designed specifically for fleet and public users, and the Source  / Paua (single charge card) collaboration will make it even easier for fleet drivers across Scotland to charge flexibly and affordably.

By Norrie Hunter,
Motoring Journalist and Travel Writer