Net Zero Transport
Developing approaches for the financing and delivery of EV charging infrastructure
Scottish Government has set ambitious climate targets, with a statutory requirement to achieve a 75% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and 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), which enters Phase 2 in 2023.
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.
As part of our support to local authorities in the development of their EV charging infrastructure plans, we, together with Burness Paull LLP have prepared documents (listed below) to assist in this process.
- Critique of Existing EVI Procurement Options
- Draft Inter-Authority Agreement Template
- Initial Draft Template Concession Contract
- Draft Template Lease
- Draft Template Parent Company Guarantee
We supported the development of OZEV’s Heads of Terms for concession-type contracts. Our Initial Draft Template Concession Contract builds on these Heads of Terms as well as our engagement with the market to date. Any concession contract will need to be tailored to suit each project, but for local authorities who are considering this type of contract, this draft template provides a starting point for authorities to engage with their advisers to develop their future contracts.
