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EV & Sustainability

HITRANS-led project secures funding to grow north-west Scotland’s EV infrastructure

More than £3m has been allocated to boost electric vehicle charging across Argyll and Bute, Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles through a project led by HITRANS.

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More than £3m has been awarded to a consortium of local authorities in north-west Scotland to expand public electric vehicle charging provision in partnership with the private sector.

The project, led by the Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS), involves Argyll and Bute, Orkney, Shetland and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles) councils.

The funding forms part of the Scottish Government’s £30m Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund (EVIF).

Since 2011, over £65m has been invested by the Scottish Government in public EV charging, creating one of the most comprehensive networks in the UK with more than 7,000 public charge points.

The Government met its target of 6,000 public charge points in October 2024, two years ahead of schedule, and aims to create a further 24,000 by 2030, largely funded by the private sector.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “I’m delighted to announce the latest award from our £30m Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund, to encourage greater private sector investment in the EV charging network.

“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.”

HITRANS partnership director Ranald Robertson said: “HITRANS and partner Councils are delighted to secure this multi-year funding for the expansion of the electric vehicle charging network across Argyll and Bute and the Northern and Western Isles.

“Collaborating across the region to share our resource and challenges has highlighted some unique opportunities that we are keen to explore in parallel, such as the abundant renewable energy generation in the area.

“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.”

Councillor John Armour, Argyll and Bute Council’s policy lead for roads, transport and amenity services, said: “This is great news for Argyll and Bute.

“We have been working closely with Transport Scotland for some time now to develop our bid for the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund, and we are extremely grateful to receive this funding award.

“We have a strategy in place that has identified over 80 potential sites for new electric chargers in the area.

“This funding will enable us to start looking at what is affordable and how we prioritise the development of the network.

“We already have 37 electric chargers in Argyll and Bute that are well used, and we are looking forward to seeing many more in the next few years.”

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