Net Zero Transport
Developing approaches for the financing and delivery of EV charging infrastructure
Scottish Government has set an ambitious climate target to be Net Zero by 2045.
The transport sector is currently the greatest contributor to emissions with road transport responsible for the largest share.
Significant investment is required to enable the transition to low-carbon road transport across Scotland with sufficient charging infrastructure being deployed to give confidence to all stakeholders to transition at pace.
The Net Zero Transport team is currently targeting its support to Transport Scotland in the following ways:
- Expanding Scotland’s public charging network
- Supporting the transition of the public sector fleet to zero-emission vehicles
- Decarbonisation of Scotland’s bus fleet
The team is working closely with Transport Scotland, local authorities and the private sector to deliver alternative business models for public Electric Vehicle (EV) infrastructure in Scotland. This activity is largely supported through the £60m Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund (EVIF), where up to £30m of public sector funds will be used to leverage at least the same amount from the private sector.
We are supporting Transport Scotland on a small number of fleet pathfinder studies that seek to explore new ways to enable the transition of the public sector fleet to zero-emission vehicles. We are also exploring how the synergies between public and fleet charging could improve utilisation and hence commercial viability.
The team is also working with Transport Scotland to support the delivery of the Zero Emission Bus challenge fund (ScotZEB).
We are supporting Transport Scotland in the management and delivery of the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund (EVIF). In addition, we are providing targeted support to local authorities to identify their future investment needs and new approaches to expanding Scotland’s public charging network at a scale and pace which can mobilise private sector capital.
To help the private sector understand the role of this fund as well as details of the emerging pipeline of projects, the team has prepared this short video - click on the image to play:
EVIF Project Pipeline
Details of the current and emerging pipeline are now available here.
Template Legal Documents
As part of our support to local authorities, we, together with Burness Paull LLP have prepared template legal documents to assist in the procurement of service/concession type EV infrastructure initiatives. Current versions are below:
- Draft Inter-Authority Agreement Template
- Compare Redline - Initial Draft Template Concession Contract - Front End Clean - 20.07.23 and June 2024 Update
- June 2024 Update - Template Concession Contract - Front End
- Draft Template Lease
- Draft Template Parent Company Guarantee
- Compensation on Early Termination
In addition, we have developed suggested drafting for an EV Tariff Review Protocol. The current version is available via the following link.
EVIF Tariff Review Protocol - Draft - June 2024
The above has been informed by our on-going engagement with the market and our input to the LEVI Procurement Forum and the development of their Heads of Terms for EV Charging Concession Contracts.
Word copies of the above templates are available on request by contacting alastair.young@scottishfuturestrust.org.uk or matt.jackson@scottishfuturestrust.org.uk .
To completement the Draft Template Concession Contract, we have prepared a guide to the Top Ten Commercial Considerations for EV Infrastructure Service Contracts which provides guidance on the commercial terms local authorities should consider.
As the initial wave projects in progress through their respective procurements, further updates will be provided to reflect common commercial positions that emerge.
Any concession type contract will need to be tailored to suit each project, but for local authorities who are considering this type of contract, these templates provide a starting point for authorities to engage with their advisers to develop their future contracts.
Complementary Technical and KPI Guidance
A key part of any EV infrastructure service or concession type contract will be the technical schedules and KPI framework. Transport Scotland has intimated that local authorities in Scotland can refer to the guidance developed for the LEVI programme as the initial reference point for their initiatives.
Technical Schedules - National EV Insight & Support
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) - National EV Insight & Support
DISCLAIMER: The Scottish Futures Trust does not provide and these standard form template legal documents are not a replacement for, legal, financial, technical and/or other professional advice and parties must ensure that they have taken appropriate independent legal, financial technical and/or other professional advice before using these documents for any reason. Neither the Scottish Futures Trust nor its legal advisers accept liability for losses arising from the use of these document by other parties and we exclude liability to the fullest extent permitted by law.
