Scotland’s Electric Car-Charging Target at Risk of Being Missed by 12 Years, Tories Warn
The Scottish Government’s ambition to install 30,000 electric car-charging stations by 2030 may be delayed by 12 years, according to analysis conducted by the Scottish Tories. This revelation has prompted calls for Scottish ministers to mirror the UK government’s commitment to net-zero targets after Rishi Sunak’s decision to defer the ban on new petrol and diesel cars until 2035.
First Minister Humza Yousaf criticized this five-year delay, describing it as unforgivable as it could jeopardize Scotland’s target to achieve net zero by 2045. The Scottish Government had previously stated that there were nearly 4,000 charging stations across Scotland as of June 2023. However, this falls far short of the 30,000 charging points forecasted to meet the projected surge in demand for electric vehicle charging.
The analysis from the Scottish Tories reveals that the Scottish Government is significantly behind schedule, with only around 1,900 charging points installed between January 2022 and 2023. Douglas Lumsden, the party’s energy and transport spokesman, criticized the slow progress, referring to it as pitiful and emblematic of the SNP/Green Government’s lackluster track record on environmental targets.
The recent breaches of climate laws by the Scottish Government further highlight the need for a pragmatic approach to climate goals, similar to that taken by Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Lumsden urged SNP/Green ministers to adopt a common-sense approach and prioritize meeting environmental targets while ensuring public support.
To achieve the goal of 30,000 charging points by 2030, over 4,000 charging stations need to be installed each year. At the current rate, the SNP/Green Government will fall behind by a staggering 12 years, ultimately impeding Scotland’s aim to achieve net zero emissions by 2045.
In response, a spokesperson from Transport Scotland stated that the Scottish Government is evaluating the implications of the UK Government’s decision to delay the ban on petrol and diesel cars. They emphasized that Scotland already boasts the highest number of rapid or ultra-rapid charge points per capita outside of London. The spokesperson acknowledged variations in public charge point distribution across local authorities, attributing this to the availability of private off-street charging facilities.
The Scottish Government has invested £65 million since 2011 in the development of the ChargePlace Scotland network, which comprises over 2,600 charge points. They have also facilitated the installation of more than 20,000 home and workplace charge points. Last year, ministers introduced legislation mandating the installation of charge points in the car parks of new buildings.
However, to meet the statutory climate change targets, the Scottish Government acknowledges the need for greater investment in the public charging network. Their EV Infrastructure Fund aims to secure £60 million of public and private investment, expanding the network to 6,000 charge points by 2026. The ChargePlace Scotland network will form the foundation for this transition, which aims to largely rely on private sector financing and implementation.
Scotland’s EV Vision, published in June this year, outlines the ideal public charging infrastructure for cars and vans. As the country moves forward, concerted efforts will be required to bridge the gap between the current pace of development and the ambitious targets set for electric vehicle charging.
