THE Scottish Government has announced funding of £4.5 million to ensure ‘more equitable access’ to electric vehicle (EV) charging opportunities across the country.
The Rural and Island Infrastructure Fund aims to enhance public EV charging provision in ‘underserved’ areas of Scotland. By focusing on rural and island locations less likely to receive private investment, the programme will contribute to the Scottish Government’s commitment of enabling 24,000 additional public charge points by 2030.
Funding will be available for rural and islands businesses, landowners, and Charge Point Operators (CPOs).
Transport secretary Fiona Hyslop said, “We’ve made incredible progress in growing the public charging network in Scotland, meeting our target of 6,000 public charge points in October 2024, two years ahead of schedule. One area of focus as we continue to grow the network is attracting more private sector investment, however we do know that there are some rural and island areas where the commercial sector is less likely to invest.
“That is where the Scottish Government steps in, to support fair access to charging for everyone in Scotland. We’re making over £4.5 million available to support areas with limited private charging infrastructure, helping people in all parts of Scotland make the switch to EVs. Through our investment, electric vehicle drivers will be able to enjoy greater range confidence than ever before. This fund aligns with our Just Transition principles and will help to ensure that no one is left behind in the EV transition.”
Jenny Milne from the Scottish Rural and Islands Transport Community added, “We welcome the launch of the Rural and Island Infrastructure Fund. We hope that this is one of many steps to come that help eligible small rural and island businesses to support residents and visitors seeking new, convenient public charging locations. In the months ahead, we look forward to promoting the fund and sharing news with our members of its positive impact on underserved communities.”
