Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) increased electric vehicle (EV) charge points at Inverness Campus

HIGHLANDS and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is increasing the number of electric vehicle charge points at the Inverness Campus – but the days of free charging at the site are over.

The site, which was developed by HIE will soon be able to charge up to a dozen vehicles at the same time.

HIE said this will be possible because it is increasing the number of charging points from two to six; each of which can charge two vehicles simultaneously.

The move forms part of wider efforts by HIE to help make the region carbon neutral and end Scotland’s need for new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030.

The agency is also planning to install a charger at its office in Benbecula, adding to its EV charging points at Inverness Campus and Enterprise Park Forres.

All HIE’s existing EV chargers have been available free of charge since they were installed. However, due to rising energy costs and to ensure consistency across the public sector, it says that tariffs will be applied from January 4.

These will align with local authority tariffs, which are currently 20p/kWh in Highland and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, and 28p/kWh in Moray. This means the cost of charging a typical EV from empty to full will be around £8-£11.

Keith Masson, HIE’s head of net zero transition, said: “Increasing access to EV charging facilities is a key factor in encouraging people to make the shift to from fossil fuels to electric. We are very pleased to be installing additional charging points at three of our premises. As well as supporting EV drivers generally, this will also help encourage more HIE colleagues to switch to electric vehicles.”

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