£7.5m strategic EV partnership launched

Two network operators have joined forces with the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland on a £7.5 million project which will see more electric vehicle charging points installed in the country.

30th August 2019 by Networks

The funding will see Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) and SP Energy Networks trial projects to widen access to electric vehicle charging networks and provide the electricity infrastructure needed to support it.

SSEN will be working in the north of Scotland examining what electricity network infrastructure will be needed to support the increasing number of tourists expected to use electric vehicles.

Infrastructure needs for new charging points along the route of the first-of-its-kind Electric A9 will be also be identified and mapped.

In central and southern Scotland, SP Energy Networks trial will explore and deliver additional public electric vehicle charging infrastructure integrated with the electricity network.

Speaking during a visit to University of Strathclyde Power Networks Demonstration Centre, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “This partnership highlights the critical role that electricity networks have to play in delivering a zero carbon energy system, and in facilitating an electric vehicle revolution and the provision of clean energy for transport.

“This project will develop a new model for delivering both EV charging and electricity network infrastructure which can more effectively satisfy Scotland’s ambitions, including delivering inclusive universal access to the benefits of the decarbonisation of transport.

“We have invested over £30 million since 2011 to establish one of the most comprehensive electric vehicle charging networks in Europe. There are now over 1,000 points across the country as part of our commitment to help people make the move to low and zero carbon vehicles.”

Colin Nicol, SSEN managing director, said: “Government and industry have a shared determination to deliver net zero and it’s only by working together that we’ll realise this goal.

“When it comes to Scotland’s low carbon ambitions, no community should be left behind, and this partnership is exactly the joined-up approach needed to deliver investment in key EV infrastructure for our towns, cities and rural areas.”

SP Energy Networks CEO Frank Mitchell said: “As Scotland drives towards net-zero emissions, decarbonising transport will be essential. This ground breaking pilot project will support the shift to electric vehicles we need to make sure that every community has equal access to charging points which are connected into Scotland’s electricity networks.

“This strategic partnership will allow us to efficiently join the dots between renewable electricity generation, the distribution network, and public electric vehicle charging infrastructure, to make sure all drivers across Scotland have equal access to our electric future.”

The partnership includes Scottish Government funding of £5m and an additional £2.5m from SSEN and SP Energy Network to deliver trial projects in 2020/2021.