Edinburgh set to receive 132 new EV charge points

Work has begun on the installation of 132 on-street electric vehicle (EV) charging bays in Edinburgh. 

To begin with, six new rapid charging bays and 30 new slow charging bays are being built at Ingliston Park and Ride. 

A further 20 charging bays will be installed at Hermiston Park and Ride in December and work is expected to be complete on the additional charging bays by Spring 2022. 

The UK Government is currently accepting applications for the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme which provides funding for 75% of the cost of installing electric vehicle chargers with the remaining 25% of the cost being provided by Energy Savings Trust Scotland.

Once future locations have been assessed a further report will be submitted to Transport and Environment Committee seeking permission to apply for the funding by February/March 2022. This will be used to roll out the next phase of electric vehicle chargers across Edinburgh.

Cllr Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener said: ‘We’re all more aware than ever of the urgent need to address the way we travel, and how this impacts on the world around us, so it’s really encouraging that more and more people are making the switch to electric cars. We want to support that.

‘I’m delighted that the installation of charging points across the city is now underway, marking the start of our ambitious, strategic programme. Soon, thousands of people across the city will be able to benefit from charging infrastructure right outside their homes on a daily basis.

‘We’re currently looking at future locations for electric vehicle chargers using data from two Energy Savings Trust studies and have developed a scoring framework. We’re also exploring the utilisation of street lighting columns as charging points, avoiding issues of cabling trailing across footways while complementing the existing street scene in Edinburgh, especially in conservation and heritage areas. Read more in the latest Business Bulletin to Transport and Environment Committee.’

Photo by Adam Wilson