Ending free or low-cost public charging could actually help drive infrastructure expansion, supporting drivers making the switch to electric vehicles, according to a new report.

Charge points on the CPS network were initially made free for users following Scottish Government grants made to local authorities and public bodies in the early 2010s

Issued by the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) public sector infrastructure body, the report says crucial private sector investment is needed to grow the infrastructure at scale and pace over the next decade.

But it warns that current provision of free or subsidised EV charging on the public network could be deterring such investment. Instead, the SFT, which says it’s engaged extensively with the EV charge point market, recommends that local authority charge point owners:

• Adopt a pricing regime that covers all costs and one which is broadly aligned with the market rate
• Set out a timetable for the transition to market rate pricing and communicate with local EV drivers the benefits of enabling an expanded, accessible and reliable network
• Explore the introduction of flexible and off-peak pricing structures to enable more affordable charging
• Put processes in place to allow price regimes to respond to changing energy costs in a timely manner

EV charge points on the ChargePlace Scotland (CPS) network were initially made free for users following Scottish Government grants made to local authorities and public bodies in the early 2010s.

Since then, Scotland’s overall public charge point network has grown to over 3,000, with over 2,400 of these now on the CPS network. The SFT data sets out that Scotland’s network has the highest number of public charging points of any UK nation or region outside London (per head of population) and currently supports a membership of 63,000 drivers, which is growing by around 500 every week.

Andrew Bruce, who leads the EV work at the Scottish Futures Trust, said: “Free or low-cost electric vehicle charging on the public network was a fantastic initiative put in place to encourage more people to use electric cars.

“However, as more and more people invest in electric vehicles, we now need to take a longer-term view on EV charging to ensure we have well maintained infrastructure and deliver a comprehensive network of charge points that are ready to cope with mass adoption.

“We know that competing against reduced tariffs is causing private sector charge point owners to hesitate to invest in Scotland’s network, which will limit its growth.

“Continuing to offer access to the network for free, or at such low rates, is also having unintended consequences. Data shows it could be encouraging people who could charge their vehicles at home to travel to access the public network, potentially preventing those who rely on the network most from accessing it.”

The report has been welcomed by Scotland’s Minister for Transport Jenny Gilruth, who said: “It’s vital that the public charging network has tariffs which are fair, sustainable and are set at a rate which enables the private sector to invest right across the country in the long term.”

The Electric Vehicle Association Scotland also greeted the findings. Director Neil Swanson said: “The need for tariffs applied over the ChargePlace Scotland network is something key to promote private investment in the development of this critical infrastructure.”

For more information about EV charging in Scotland, and to read the report, visit Scottish Futures Trust.