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Highland Council developing EV potential





In its commitment to tackling the climate emergency Highland Council is developing more electric vehicle charge points across the region.

The council is part of the Local Authority Installation Programme funded by the Scottish Government to develop the EV public charging network, so that EV drivers can confidently travel through both urban and rural locations.

The authority has been awarded over £3m since the first EV charge point was installed in 2012.

The aim is to instal some 50 additional charging points across a number of sites during 20/21 and the vast majority of them are either completed or in progress on site.

The programme, led by members, outlines the council’s direction of travel and will form part of a wider Strategic Control Plan designed to allow a refreshed approach towards EV infrastructure project delivery and planning.

Cllr Trish Robertson
Cllr Trish Robertson

Chair of the Climate Change Working Group, Cllr Trish Robertson, said: “The continuation of our commitment to providing EV charging points across the Highlands is a key part of our responsibility in addressing the climate emergency.

"The Scottish Government has pledged to phase out new petrol and diesel cars and vans across Scotland by 2032 so it is important that the work we have started continues and people are confident that making the change over to EV vehicles is a practical option, as well as one that will help to reduce our impact on the environment.”

To encourage the uptake of EVs, a successful promotional campaign was undertaken involving Highland schools in 2019/20; younger children submitted entries to design a logo for the side of the Highland Council electric vehicle used by the climate change team. Older children submitted entries to design a logo for charging points. The logos and signage are being deployed around Highland.

Council leader Margaret Davidson added: “Here in the Highlands we face unique geographical challenges but the small dedicated project team we have are very proactive when it comes to delivering and supporting the many strands of associated works. For example, they have supported various requests for assistance channelled through the planning process which has resulted in us producing our own planning guidance for new residential developments ahead of national policy.

“This policy along with our developing strategic control plan will help to accelerate EV infrastructure delivery by improving the early planning and management of projects, making the rollout more effective and integrated with other low carbon transport plans in Highland.”


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