The Scottish Government has awarded £6.3m to a group of eight local authorities to improve public charging infrastructure for electric vehicles in the south of Scotland. The funding
The Scottish Government has awarded £6.3m to a group of eight local authorities to improve public charging infrastructure for electric vehicles in the south of Scotland.
The funding will support the installation of 1,770 additional public charge points across the region, with the councils working in partnership with the private sector.
The South of Scotland Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund project is being led by City of Edinburgh Council and includes Clackmannanshire, Dumfries & Galloway, Falkirk, Fife, Midlothian, Scottish Borders and West Lothian Councils.
It’s the final award from the Scottish Government’s £30m Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund.
Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said the funding would help attract further private investment in the country’s EV charging network.
“Our ambition to enable the delivery of 24,000 additional public charge points by 2030 cannot be met without significant backing from the private sector. The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund was designed to encourage this investment, meaning public funding can be targeted for areas which are less likely to benefit from stand-alone private investment – this includes more rural parts of Scotland, some of which will be served by the south of Scotland project led by City of Edinburgh Council.
“I look forward to hearing how the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund project helps drivers across the region make the switch to electric vehicles and, more widely, how it helps Scotland become a more attractive place to make zero emission transport choices.”
Councillor Stephen Jenkinson, Transport and Environment Convener at Edinburgh Council, said: “This is a significant and positive development for Edinburgh and the South of Scotland. The strength of our regional partnership enables us to co-ordinate this project more effectively for the benefit of all.
“As the lead local authority for the partnership, we’re proud to be spearheading this process which will ensure consistent service standards, charging tariffs and equitable access for communities across the south of Scotland.”
