EV charging ‘zones’ planned across Edinburgh

City of Edinburgh council has announced plans to install electric vehicle charging hubs in ‘zones’ based on the demand for different types of charging infrastructure needed across the city.

The zonal charging approach was among the measures set out in the authority’s Electric Vehicle Action Plan — published this week ahead of a meeting of the council’s Transport and Environment Committee tomorrow (7 December).

Edinburgh council is seeking to establish charging hubs for electric vehicles across the city

As part of the strategy, Edinburgh council will seek to develop charging infrastructure in the city in three distinct zones based on the types of vehicle used in each area.

The city centre zone (Zone 1) would focus on rapid charging points on and off street for use by taxis, car club vehicles and public sector fleets.

In residential areas (Zone 2) the priority would be for charging around high density housing — with a combination of fast chargers on street locations and rapid chargers in off-street locations.

In the outer city zone (Zone 3) the focus would be on installing charging points at park & ride sites, forming a ‘strategic ring’ around the periphery of the city, comprising a mix of rapid and fast charging hubs.

Business case

Edinburgh is currently working to establish a business case to assess the development of charging hubs across the city, and “provide a route map to delivering solutions across the three zones”.

Other actions outlined in the strategy include convening an Electric Vehicle Working Group, to coordinate work in this field across the authority, collaborating with partners including Car Club operators and encouraging ‘wider e-mobility opportunities’.

The EV strategy will be delivered alongside continued investment in walking, cycling and public transport, the authority has said.

Overall, electric vehicle up-take has been steadily growing in Edinburgh in recent years, the city council claims, with up to 23.8% (498) of all of Scotland’s licensed EVs registered within the Edinburgh city region.

Transport and environment convener, Councillor Lesley Macinnes, said: “It’s very encouraging how many Edinburgh residents and organisations are demonstrating their commitment to both reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality in the city by opting for electric vehicles over fossil-fuelled ones.

“This new Action Plan will help the Council and our partners maximise the benefits and opportunities of this cleaner, greener option. It will provide many more opportunities for residents and visitors to charge their cars easily and we hope this will let even more people think of switching to an electric car.

“Electric vehicles are only part of the solution to worsening air quality, however, alongside the other key elements of our wider sustainable transport agenda for the Capital such as promoting use of public transport and active travel like walking and cycling.”