Rollout of on-street EV charging in Edinburgh begins

Work is underway to install electric vehicle (EV) chargers around Edinburgh as part of plans to introduce 81 on-street chargers serving 141 parking bays.

21 new EV chargers are now up and running at Ingliston Park and Ride in the city, and another five rapid and 14 slow chargers will soon be operational at Hermiston Park and Ride.

Preliminary work is also underway to install an additional 41 rapid and fast chargers – amounting to 72 charging bays – at on-street locations in residential areas around the Capital. These will be complete and available for use by early summer.

The rollout, designed to encourage the take-up of lower emission transport, is being funded by £2.2m awarded through Transport Scotland’s Switched on Towns and Cities Challenge Fund.

Cllr Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener, said: ‘These new chargers will provide convenient charging for people travelling in and out of the Capital, and very soon we’ll be delivering fast, accessible charge points in residential streets around the city too.

‘The transition to clean, low emission transport like electric vehicles is critical if we are to meet our ambitious net zero 2030 target, alongside choosing walking, wheeling, cycling or taking public transport to get around. It’s our role to support and encourage this so it’s fantastic that we’re now rolling out electric vehicle charging infrastructure across Edinburgh.’

Minister for Transport Jenny Gilruth commented: ‘I’m pleased to see Scottish Government investment of £2.2 million deliver new electric vehicle charging infrastructure across Edinburgh.

‘Our Switched on Towns and Cities funding is transforming Edinburgh’s provision of charge points, not only at key park and ride sites, but also through 72 new on-street charging bays at various locations across the city.

‘This will improve air quality and protect our climate – directly supporting our commitment to phasing out the need for new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030.’

While the use of existing chargers is currently free, charging tariffs, as agreed by Council as part of the budget-setting process, are to be introduced in May. Any revenue generated will be used to fund the ongoing costs associated with electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Photo supplied by Edinburgh City Council