Team behind drive to increase electric vehicle use at Highland Council is praised for efforts to decarbonise its fleet
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A DRIVE to 'decarbonise' Highland Council's fleet of vehicles is gathering pace – with dozens of new charge points installed in the past five years, the local authority has claimed.
It has praised its electric vehicle team for helping the local authority make a "significant move" towards slashing the carbon emissions of its fleet.
It said the team had been successful in promoting changes in behaviour that are helping to decarbonise the council's transportation and that they had made "significant developments" that have accelerated the transition to low carbon transport – both within the council and the wider communities.
Part of that work has seen charge points available within a 30-mile radius across the region.
The team’s work was recognised with a place on the shortlist in the “Sustainable Highland Environment and Global Centre for Renewable Energy” category at this year’s Highland Council Staff Recognition Awards.
Related: Electric vehicle (EV) charge points installed at Eastgate Shopping Centre car park in Inverness
Economy and infrastructure committee chairman, Cllr Ken Gowans, said: “The progressive and proactive work by the EV team has ensured the Council is well positioned to meet its decarbonisation responsibilities. I am delighted their work was recognised by inclusion in the short list at the recent Staff Recognition Awards.
“The development of the network has further encouraged visitors to travel to the region, providing confidence to those who regularly travel long distances, whilst also providing opportunities for the local economy to benefit.”
A sustainable tariff structure is in place which aims to help ensure the long-term development of the network and support a "Just Transition".
The team has been instrumental in securing £3 million of external funding to help in its efforts. Over the last five years the estate has grown from 19 to 92 charging points.
The EV Team consists of Neil Osborne, Rachael Anderson, Roslyn Clarke, Jackie Sayer, Robin Pope and Caroline Campbell.
The EV network is managed by Charge Place Scotland, a 24-hour helpline is available, and a maintenance contract is in place for all infrastructure. The team is now looking ahead and aiming to develop the network further through an innovative collaborative approach which looks to leverage commercial investment to support this expansion.
The council said data has shown an increase in the use of the charge points. The first quarter of 2023 had 2701 more sessions than the same period in 2022.
It added that the overall CO2 saving for 2022 was 506.8 tonnes, with a total of 44,576 sessions taking place.
In the last financial year, Culbokie and Dornoch have been supported by the EV team for the installation of EVCs to benefit their communities.
