North of Scotland Councils have secured a £300m contract for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.
The project will be led by the Highland Council and involves a partnership with EasyGo that also includes Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council and Moray Council.
The 20-year contract is expected to provide 570 new charging stations across the region over the next three years, ‘more than doubling the existing EV infrastructure’ in the area and advancing the north of Scotland’s net zero aims.
To support the project, Transport Scotland has invested over £7m from the Scottish Government’s £30m Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund that was launched in 2022.
In a recent statement, the Highland Council confirmed: ‘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.’
Cllr Ken Gowans, Vice Convener of the Highland Council, added: ‘This project exemplifies the power of collaboration as we work closely with our neighbouring local authorities to create a comprehensive and accessible EV charging network.
‘By addressing the critical need for expanded charging infrastructure, we are removing significant barriers to electric vehicle adoption, better serving our communities in both urban and rural areas and delivering a wide range of community benefits.’
