Electric vehicle network to be reviewed

Though Orkney can lay claim to having the highest number of electric vehicles (EVs) per head of population of anywhere in the country, concerns have been raised regarding Scotland’s electric vehicle charging network.

Scottish Energy Minister, Paul Wheelhouse, confirmed this week that he is reviewing the strategy on EVs, developed jointly by government and industry, and that he will examine maintenance in the context of that review.

This follows a debate in parliament this week, in which Orkney MSP Liam McArthur suggested there needs to be a greater focus on reliability now that the network is beginning to expand nationwide.

“It is good news that ownership of electric vehicles is going up largely because of reduced costs and technological advances,” he said.

“However, too often people turn up to the charge points only to find them out of order. These faults can last sometimes last for days if not weeks. This would not be acceptable in terms of petrol stations and should not be when it comes to EV charge points.”

According to Mr McArthur, at present, councils, manufacturers and the operator, Charge Your Car, invariably point the finger of blame at one another, often with some justification. He feels that this demonstrates why a different approach needs to be taken.

Orkney Renewable Energy Forum has recently produced a good practice guide to help maximise the value of investment in EV charging infrastructure by ensuring charge points are located in the most appropriate sites. Mr McArthur feels that they deserve credit for their work and has shared the guide with the Transport Minister and Scotland’s 32 local authorities.

“Emissions from transport have remain largely static over the last three decades,” he continued.
“Increasing the take up of EVs is part of what we need to do to help cut emissions in future.  That will only happen if the public has confidence that the necessary infrastructure is in place and working properly.”