Glasgow to see 164 electric vehicle charging points installed throughout city

A further 164 electric vehicle charging points will be installed across Glasgow after the City Council secured funding from the Scottish Government’s £60m funding pot.

So far the local authority has installed 268 stations across the city, with an additional 96 also proposed as demand for electric vehicles rises across the country.

Newlands and Auldburn will see the most points introduced with 38 to be installed, with 32 in Drumchapel and Anniesland, 16 in Canal, 14 in Hillhead, 14 in Shettleston and 14 in Dennistoun.

A further 11 points will be installed in East Centre, with seven in Anderston and Yorkhill, six in Garscadden/Scotstounhill, six throughout the Linn, four in Calton, and two in Partick and Kelvindale.

It follows the First Minister’s announcement in September 2017 which highlighted the Scottish Government’s ambition to phase out all petrol and diesel engines in Scotland by 2032.

In October 2017, Nicola Sturgeon also announced that Glasgow would become Scotland’s first low emission zone (LEZ), further driving the demand for ultra low emission vehicles.

Glasgow City Council has also installed 115 charging spaces in support of its own electric fleet.

From January to December 2021, more than 5300 drivers had used the network for 43,112 sessions, consuming more than 988,000 kWh – the equivalent of 2.8 million emission free miles diverting 559.1 tons of CO2.

An update was brought before the environment and sustainability committee on Tuesday.

SNP councillor Angus Millar, chairman of the environment, sustainability and carbon reduction committee, said: “Supporting the transition to electric vehicles is an important part of our response to the climate emergency.

“Glasgow has made good progress in recent years in expanding our public electric vehicle (EV) charging network, with 268 charge points across the city – and with funding secured for a further 164 an additional 96 proposed subject to grant application, we are looking at a near doubling of the public network in the coming year to meet rising demand in the city.

“We are continuing to plan for the transition to EVs, considering new approaches like opening up council facilities to support residents to charge overnight. The expansion of our public charging network will provide a firm foundation for that transition and support uptake of EVs in the city.”

The additional charging points will also help Glasgow meet its 2030 net zero carbon emissions target.

Although they are not the sole solution to improving air quality within the city and to reducing CO2 emissions, zero emissions vehicles are a key element when it comes to reducing transport related CO2 emissions and improving air quality.

SNP councillor and candidate for Drumchapel/Anniesland, Anne McTaggart, said: “Glasgow has ambitious targets of becoming a Net Zero carbon city by 2030 and as well as shifting journeys towards public transport and active travel, the transition to EVs is an important piece of that puzzle.

“I am delighted that Glasgow is set to benefit from SNP Government funding to roll-out our public charging network, and it’s great to see this will allow my ward of Drumchapel/Anniesland to join the network with 32 new charge points planned.

“With a £60m Public Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund recently announced by the SNP Government, Glasgow will be well-placed to take advantage of this and continue this expansion in the coming years.”