The Scottish government has awarded more than £3m to boost public electric vehicle charging in the north-west.

The funding is being delivered to the Argyll and Bute, Orkney, Shetland and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles) councils by the north-west Scotland EV Infrastructure Fund project that’s led by HITRANS.

It’s the latest award in the Transport Scotland’s £30m EV Infrastructure Fund, which was announced in 2022 and forms part of the Government’s approach to supporting a move towards a public charging network in Scotland.

Since 2011, the Scottish government has provided over £65m in public EV charging and the country now has over 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.

The Scottish government published its EV charging ‘Vision’ in June 2023, setting out plans for future charging network growth, including opening up ChargePlace Scotland (CPS) to private sector investment.

Alongside this, the Government’s EV Infrastructure Fund will target public funding at less commercially viable sites, particularly for rural and island communities.

Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “The Scottish Government has set out a route map to deliver on our vision for public EV charging infrastructure in Scotland and ambition to create 24,000 additional public charge points by 2030, largely funded and delivered by the private sector.

“In addition to the public funding from EVIF, we anticipate the private sector investing at least an additional £30m of its own capital, meaning public funding should be prioritised for those areas of Scotland less likely to benefit from stand-alone private sector investment in public EV charging infrastructure.

“This includes rural and island communities like those which will be served by this north-west Scotland project led by HITRANS. I look forward to hearing how the EVIF project helps EV drivers across this region, and all of Scotland, over the coming months and years.”

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 “well used” EV chargers and has identified over 80 potential sites for new electric chargers in the area.

Councillor John Armour, policy lead for roads, transport and amenity services, said: “This funding will enable us to start looking at what is affordable and how we prioritise the development of the network.”