Aberdeenshire Council helps announce multi-million-pound EV charging infrastructure partnership
A local authority is part of a partnership that has awarded a 20-year contract to provide EV charging infrastructure for the north of Scotland.
Aberdeenshire, Highland, Moray and Aberdeen City councils have announced that EasyGo will take on the work.
The contract is estimated to be worth £300 million, with Highland Council acting as the lead authority.
The large-scale EV infrastructure project will accelerate the region’s transition to Net Zero and see 570 new charging points installed across the north of Scotland by 2028.
This will more than double the existing EV infrastructure and further enhance the region’s charging network.
EasyGo will also adopt and maintain all existing council-owned public charging points in the region.
Transport Scotland has committed more than £7 million of funding to enable the partnership as part of the Scottish Government’s £30 million Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund.
The fund was launched in 2022 and enables local authorities to work with the private sector to deliver a high-quality public EV charging network across all of Scotland.
The north of Scotland partnership is the first inter-council contract to have been awarded and is the largest grant award in Scotland since the fund’s inception.
Councillor Gillian Owen, Leader of Aberdeenshire Council, said: “This is a hugely aspirational programme for all our regions, and I very much welcome the future development of additional electric vehicle charging infrastructure to help future-proof our network.
“As a large rural authority, we acknowledge that more needs to be done to improve and extend the existing infrastructure to cater for under-served areas across Aberdeenshire and to ensure far greater reliability of services for motorists.
“Through this ambitious partnership approach, I am confident it will encourage a major increase in EV usage and help promote equality within both rural and urban areas.”
Councillor Kathleen Robertson, Leader of Moray Council, said: “This initiative highlights perfectly how collaborative efforts across the north of Scotland can deliver for all of our communities.
“We’re not only expanding the electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Moray but working with our neighbours to open up economic growth and development opportunities across our region.
“By playing our own part in the drive to net zero we’re helping Scotland make the journey that really matters.
“As an electric car driver myself I know how welcome this investment will be for locals and visitors and am proud we’re delivering a climate positive network for the ages.”
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “I’m pleased that over £7 million from the Scottish Government is transforming public electric vehicle infrastructure across the north of Scotland.
“Our £30 million Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund has now been fully allocated to support this type of collaboration across the country and is expected to support the delivery of around 6000 additional public charge points by 2030.
“In the north of Scotland, our investment has enabled an innovative procurement partnership across four local authorities, that is expected to leverage over £4.9 million of additional matched private sector investment over the next three years to expand the availability, accessibility and reliability of public EV charging.
“As we transition away from ChargePlace Scotland, in line with our published vision for public charging infrastructure – this truly collaborative approach, supported through our Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund, directly contributes to our ambition to phase out the need for new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030.”
EasyGo is a provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions, operating more than 4500 chargers across more than 1500 locations in Ireland.
Founded in 2018, EasyGo delivers fast, reliable direct current (DC) charging to more than 100,000 EV drivers and collaborates with major industry players to enhance the accessibility and interoperability of its charging infrastructure.
Ollie Chatten, CEO of EasyGo, said: “As the largest EV charging network across Ireland, we are truly excited to be working with the Scottish Government on the north of Scotland electric vehicle charging infrastructure partnership, following a successful and thorough procurement process.
“Supporting progressive councils across the country in building out EV infrastructure is a vital step towards a more sustainable and future-focused Scotland.
“This project enables us to bring our proven expertise to the forefront, ensuring a reliable and efficient charging network that will power Scotland’s journey to Net Zero.”
