DRIVERS of electric vehicles (EVs) in Scotland will have to pay to charge their cars sooner rather than later as they become more popular, but the country’s infrastructure should be uniform.
A report from Transport Scotland and the Scottish Futures Trust last month said more than 4000 new public charging points would be needed every year over the next decade to bring the infrastructure up to a standard where it could cope with demand.
Some readers of The National had expressed their disquiet at the possibility of paying fees to charge their EVs on disparate networks with differing access and payment modes.
Among them was Willie Oswald, from Blanefield, who told us: “My concern is are we getting away from the concept of a universal charging network, to having a plethora of incompatible charging points, as is the case south of the border?”
READ MORE: Scotland's EV drivers face charging fees as system reaches 'tipping point'
However, Transport Minister Graeme Dey (above) said the model for public charging infrastructure had to evolve: “This report is clear that we are now at a tipping point in terms of current demand and future requirements.
“By retaining the best characteristics that Scotland enjoys through ChargePlace Scotland, the opportunities from inviting greater private sector involvement could be tremendous.”
Austrian multinational Swarco eVolt, which was the preferred bidder to operate the £1.2 million network took over from ChargePlace Scotland just weeks ago on a contract expected to run for at least two years with the option to extend.
Swarco has already provided much of Scotland’s EV charging infrastructure. It is operating from the Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc in Dundee, and Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, said the benefits would be felt across the country: “The development of EV infrastructure in our communities brings economic benefits right across Scotland – and it’s good to see that this contract with Swarco will bring new jobs to Dundee at the Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc.”
READ MORE: Electric cars will soon be cheapest option for all, consumer group says
Swarco eVolt managing director, Justin Meyer, added: “Our charging technology has become the watchword for reliability and performance in a world that demands certainty, and our approach to smart charging through our e.Connect software solution will be at the heart of the ambition to build a truly world-class network.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel