The Scottish Government has reiterated that private sector investment will play a critical role in delivering thousands of charge points by 2030 as it opens a new consultation on its plans.

The draft Implementation Plan outlines the key actions that will deliver Scotland’s Vision for public electric vehicle charging

Transport Scotland’s newly published Draft Implementation Plan sets out 15 actions to achieve the growth necessary in the public charging infrastructure in Scotland and deliver Scotland’s Vision for public EV charging.

These actions cover a range of topics including continuing to attracting private sector investment to expand public EV charging, and ensuring the public EV charging network meets the needs of all users, including those living in rural and island communities, and those with diverse accessibility needs.

The Scottish government published its EV charging ‘Vision’ in June 2023, setting out plans for a world-class charging network by opening up ChargePlace Scotland (CPS) to private sector investment.

The Government has also committed to enabling around 24,000 extra public charge points by 2030, and said it expects the majority of these to be delivered by the private sector.

The draft plans say the planned charge point expansion will require leadership and collective action from a range of organisations that share responsibility for delivering public EV charging, including businesses investing in EV charging, energy network operators and the Government.

Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said the Government needs to go “faster and further” to achieve its ambitions.

“Public money cannot and should not support this infrastructure alone,” she went on. “We have already seen significant growth in the level of private sector investment in the public charging infrastructure essential to support the transition to EVs. This draft plan outlines how the private sector will take on a leading role, it sets out the actions necessary for us to realise the ambition of our Vision, which is to give Scotland a well-designed, accessible, comprehensive, and convenient public charging network that works for everyone.”

Scotland is already ahead of the game in terms of EV charging with more public charge points per 100,000 people than any UK region outside of London. Over a quarter of those charge points are rapid or ultra-rapid. According to Zapmap, Scotland experienced 49% growth in public EV charging between June 2023 (4,023 public charge points) and October 2024 (6,007 public charge points). This rapid growth was largely driven by private sector investment. However, delivering approximately 24,000 additional public charge points by 2030 will necessitate an eight-fold increase in the level of private sector investment over the next five years.

Vicky Read, CEO of ChargeUK, said: “ChargeUK is committed to making EV charging as convenient and affordable as possible. That’s why our members are putting charge points in the ground at a record pace, with a new one being installed every 25 minutes.

“The Transport for Scotland implementation plan acknowledges that for the rollout to go further and faster, we need the support of DNOs and local authorities and we are looking forward to working with the Scottish Government to deliver this.

“Investment in charge points is driven by the private sector, with ChargeUK members committing to invest £6bn by 2030.

“To encourage and support more investment into public charge points, coordination between CPOs, DNOs and all forms of government is vital.”

Stuart Tolley, GEO director at charging firm Virta, said Scotland has a strong track record when it comes to being at the centre of tackling climate change and that the rest of the UK “should really sit up and take notice”.

But he warned that although Scotland is ahead of the game, much more needs to be done.

“Transport is responsible for most greenhouse gas emissions, and the switch away from petrol and diesel vehicles is a tangible measure which can have an immediate impact. But to achieve the idea of eMobility, it must be made easy, cost-effective and accessible for all. That means more investment in infrastructure.

“Not only do private businesses hold the key to this, but those that ignore the opportunity could miss out. With a growing number of EV drivers on the roads, consumers are more and more likely to choose where to spend their money based on where they can charge their car.

“For more than 80% of EV drivers globally, EV charging has an impact when deciding where to shop. Equally, eight out of 10 hotel guests say EV charging has a direct impact on whether or not they book a room.

“EV charging is becoming an expectation at amenities, attractions and hotels and this represents a tremendous opportunity for businesses to get in at the ground level.”

The consultation on the plans is now open and will help inform the Scottish government’s finalised implementation plan which it will publish next year. The deadline for responses is 14 March 2025.