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.
Links to background information, guidance and templates developed by our team, along with other useful reference material, will be provided here:
- Frequently Asked Questions - June 2023
- EVIF Briefing Recording - March 2022
- EVIF Briefing Slides - March 2022
- EVIF Local Authority Workshop Slides - May 2022
In October 2022, our Net Zero Transport team chaired a technical workshop for local authorities, with speakers from Burness Paull, EDF, East Lothian Council and ChargePlace Scotland. This technical workshop was designed to help support local authorities understand tariffs in the context of their own public EV chargepoints. The recording of the presentations is available in two parts as well as the accompanying slides.
- Workshop Recording Part 1
- Workshop Recording Part 2
- SFT Scene Setting Slides
- East Lothian Council Slides
- EDF Slides
- Burness Paull Slides
- ChargePlace Scotland Slides
- EVIF Evaluation Framework - Blank Template - March 2023
As the programme develops, further information will be made available.
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.
We welcome feedback on the Initial Draft Template Concession Contract, Lease and PCG. Following this feedback, we plan to issue an updated Draft Template Concession Contract in Autumn 2023 that includes a draft template KPI Framework.
Should you wish to provide feedback or discuss any aspects of these documents please feel free to contact Alastair Young at SFT.
Our team
Andrew Bruce
Senior Associate Director
Andrew is an infrastructure financing specialist with over 20 years' experience spread between the public and private sectors.
His main focus is on accelerating the transition to net zero by developing business models and markets that allow substantial private investment and ensuring that public sector support is complementary to this goal.
He leads SFT’s Net Zero Transport team as well as working on the funding and financing challenges in heat decarbonisation, hydrogen and the renewable electricity markets.
Contact Andrew
Alastair Young
Associate Director
Alastair is an infrastructure programme delivery specialist currently working with Transport Scotland and local authorities to accelerate the delivery of electric vehicle charging infrastructure across Scotland as well as exploring ways to mobile private sector capital to support infrastructure delivery in this sector.
Former roles have included managing the delivery of complex infrastructure projects and programmes in the education, waste and water sectors. Alastair has a degree in Civil Engineering and an MBA.
Contact Alastair
Matt Jackson
Net Zero Transport Manager
Matt is an eMobility specialist, experienced in delivering the infrastructure required to support the decarbonisation of transport.
In the past, Matt worked with Transport Scotland as a secondee, improving the ChargePlace Scotland EV charging network and steering the development of policy.
Matt works in partnership with Transport Scotland to deliver the next chapter for Net Zero transport in Scotland.
Contact Matt
