Question reference: S5W-08674
- Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 5 April 2017
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Current status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 18 April 2017
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many electric vehicle charging points have been included in new housing developments since its Scottish Planning Policy was published in 2014.
Answer
The information specific to the request is not held centrally. Scottish Planning Policy encourages electric vehicle charging points to be considered as part of any new development and provided where appropriate. Planning authorities should make decisions based upon the provisions and policies within their development plans. It is therefore for them to discuss and agree provisions for electric vehicles in new developments on a case by case basis with developers.
However we do know that the Our ChargePlace Scotland network has expanded from a limited base just five years ago to over 600 charging points and 1,200 charging bays across Scotland. This includes over 150 ‘rapid’ charge points, one of the most comprehensive networks in Europe. Transport Scotland also provides grants to EV owners to enable them to have a charge point installed at home with figures at October 2016 showing that over 870 domestic units have been installed.
Provision for electric vehicle charging points will be one element considered in the forthcoming review of building standards in Scotland, as proposed in the draft Climate Change Plan 2017.