Scotland is at the forefront of a transformative journey towards a net zero future
April’s Net Zero Scotland Projects Conference, held at the inspiring Dynamic Earth complex in Edinburgh, underscored the nation’s commitment to decarbonisation.
As a bid manager living in a rural island community – and having recently transitioned to an electric vehicle myself – I’m keen to explore the current state of EV infrastructure in Scotland. Interpreting the key messages from the Net Zero Scotland conference, this article details some of the challenges we face, and the collective steps we can take to drive meaningful change.
Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Transport in The Scottish Government, clearly reinforced Scotland’s ambitions in her keynote address:
“Our commitment to net zero has not been diluted. We are MORE committed to the net zero future than ever. The path to net zero is the path we are on, and we will stay on that path!”
The promise of electric vehicles (EV)
EVs represent a significant shift in our approach to mobility. For businesses, the transition offers a pathway to reduce carbon footprints, align with environmental goals and respond to increasing demands for sustainable practices in procurement processes.
EiB has embarked on an ambitious journey to reduce business mileage by 10% annually, encouraging staff to adopt EVs through a salary sacrifice scheme and incentivised support. From having no EV drivers three years ago, we now have seven colleagues driving EVs in their personal lives – over 15% of our team. This transformation, driven by visible leadership from our senior management team, reflects our growing organisational and individual commitment to sustainability.
Current infrastructure landscape
Scotland has made commendable strides in expanding its EV infrastructure. In October 2024, Zap-Map.com reported over 6000 public charging points across the country, achieving the 2026 target two years ahead of schedule. This expansion has been facilitated by the £30 million EV Infrastructure Fund, launched in 2022 to support local authorities in developing public EV charging strategies in partnership with the private sector.
The fund focuses on delivering charge points where commercial investment is not currently viable, particularly in rural and island communities. The Scottish Government is also committed to enabling a just transition, ensuring people across all geographies and backgrounds can participate in and benefit from decarbonised transport.
Challenges to EV adoption
While progress is being made, several barriers still limit widespread EV uptake in Scotland.
- Rural infrastructure gaps: Remote areas, including parts of the Highlands and Islands where I live, often lack sufficient charging provision, unlike better-served urban centres.
- Limited home charging access: Around half of Scottish households don’t have private driveways, relying instead on public chargers that may be inconvenient or costly.
- Cost variability: Charging tariffs vary significantly between council areas, creating a ‘postcode lottery’ that disadvantages some users.
- Reliability issues: Faulty charge points, app failures, and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle obstruction continue to undermine user confidence, particularly for those new to EVs.
Winning hearts and minds: The human element of EV transition
Beyond the technical and logistical challenges, a deeper challenge lies in public perception. Making the shift to EVs isn’t just about installing infrastructure or offering financial incentives, it’s about winning hearts and minds.
- Addressing range anxiety: Many people still worry about running out of charge. Yet most modern EVs can comfortably exceed 200 miles per charge – more than enough for typical daily journeys.
- Demystifying charging: The idea of plugging in a vehicle instead of fuelling up at a petrol station can seem daunting at first. Public education and straightforward user experience design will help reduce these barriers.
- Promoting environmental responsibility: Sharing real stories about air quality improvements, emissions reductions and the impact of lower-noise neighbourhoods helps people connect emotionally to the benefits.
- Highlighting financial benefits: While upfront EV costs can be higher, drivers often save over time through lower running and maintenance costs. Company incentives, such as ours at EiB, can make the switch even more viable.
- Creating social norms: Seeing more friends, neighbours, and colleagues in EVs helps normalise the shift. At EiB, we’ve seen firsthand how personal examples can drive collective action.
Government initiatives and outlook
The Scottish Government continues to invest in a fair and accessible EV transition through a multi-pronged strategy.
- Infrastructure investment: £65 million through the EV Infrastructure Fund is supporting local authorities and private partners to expand charging networks in priority areas, backed by tailored delivery plans for councils
- Expanding public charging: A target of 24,000 new public charge points by 2030 aims to improve access across Scotland, with the National Public EV Charging Fund supporting a balanced roll-out of rapid, fast and slow chargers in both urban and rural areas
- Home and on-street charging: Programmes such as the Home Chargepoint Grant assist with off-street installations, while pilot schemes are trialling lamppost and pop-up chargers for households without driveways.
- Private sector partnerships: Public-private collaborations are being encouraged to scale infrastructure, with support available for businesses via Switched on Fleets and the Low Carbon Transport Loan.
- Public engagement and awareness: Campaigns and online resources are helping address myths, share success stories, and guide informed decisions about EVs, ensuring communities are ready and equipped for the transition.
Sustainability in procurement: Raising the bar and our game
Sustainability is no longer a ‘nice to have’ in UK public procurement – it’s a fundamental requirement. With initiatives such as Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 06/21 mandating carbon reduction plans for contracts over £5 million, and evaluation criteria increasingly weighted towards environmental performance, suppliers must now demonstrate real, measurable commitments to net zero. Clients expect more than promises – they expect credible action, supported by data and strategy.
At EiB, we’re helping clients rise to this challenge. Our experienced team of bid consultants brings deep knowledge of evolving procurement policy, carbon literacy and sustainability best practice throughout every stage of the procurement lifecycle. We’ve worked with organisations to craft robust, compliant carbon reduction plans and embed environmental responsibility across their value propositions. As expectations grow, our support ensures clients not only meet but exceed the bar – positioning them strongly for success in a low-carbon future.
Concluding remarks
We all have a role to play. From choosing how we travel, to championing EV adoption in our communities and to pushing for better infrastructure, we are each part of the solution. Transitioning to EVs won’t happen by accident. It requires intention, conversation and courage to try something new. But with the right support, real information and a shared commitment to the future, it’s a journey well within our reach.
Scotland’s journey to net zero requires a united effort. While challenges remain, the direction of travel is clear. With a blend of smart policy, individual action and business leadership, we can unlock the full potential of electric vehicles and lead the charge towards a more sustainable, inclusive Scotland.
- Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Investment, Scottish Government FOI 202400433563, 2024. Available at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/foi-202400433563/
- Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund, Transport Scotland, 2024. Available at: https://www.transport.gov.scot/our-approach/environment/electric-vehicle-infrastructure-fund/
- Plan to Add 24,000 Public Electric Vehicle Charge Points by 2030 Published, Transport Scotland, 2024. Available at: https://www.transport.gov.scot/news/plan-to-add-24-000-public-electric-vehicle-charge-points-by-2030-published/
- Procurement Policy Note 06/21: Taking Account of Carbon Reduction Plans, UK Government, 2021. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-policy-note-0621-taking-account-of-carbon-reduction-plans