Car data and insights firm Cazana‘s latest insight report has revealed that Scotland is continuing to lead the way in embracing electric cars. Argyll and Bute accounted for 4.5% of UK sales, marginally behind Kent which took the top spot with 4.8%. Angus, North Ayrshire, Edinburgh, the Borders and East Renfrewshire are also outperforming other parts of the country, which has led to Scotland being heralded as the UK’s “eco champion.”

This trend is a positive indicator that Scotland is heading in the right direction to meet the Scottish Government’s pledge to phase out new petrol and diesel cars by 2032 – ahead of the UK Government’s target of 2040. Richard Dixon, director of Friends of the Earth Scotland, believes these encouraging figures prove that “strong political commitment” and “real investment on the ground” does influence buyers decisions.

Dixon added: “With concern high over the health impact of air pollution from cars and traffic, the largest source of climate change emissions, electric vehicles are clearly a major part of how we need to transform transport in Scotland.

“The Scottish Government’s commitment to phase out the need for petrol and diesel cars, together with investment which has seen the number of public charging points in Scotland rise, mean there can be no doubt that Scotland is serious about electric cars and the public and companies are responding by buying them in ever increasing numbers, including in a healthy and growing second hand market.”

Tom Wood, CEO of Cazana, added: “Our results show that Scotland is leading the way when it comes to sales of electric and hybrid cars. Our data puts paid to the stereotype that it’s southern English cities that have the monopoly on green technology, and it’s great to see Scottish drivers leading the UK with low emission cars.”

EV Campaigners Say More Charging Points Needed

One of the main factors that deters car buyers from electric vehicles is the lack of charging points. Drivers are averse to the perceived inconvenience of finding a charge point, especially if they do not have off the street parking, and then the risk of the car power cutting out on longer journeys.

Speaking of people with no private parking, living in terraced houses and flat, Alex Buttle, director of car buying comparison website Motorway.co.uk, said: Although many car owners can expect to have access to on-street charging stations, there’s no guarantee there will be enough to go around.”

Although Scotland has significantly invested in charging points, with almost 1000 already in place across the country, significantly more will be needed if the Scottish government is to achieve its goal.

John Bynorth, of Environment Protection Scotland, described the fear of running out of power mid-journey as “the biggest hurdle to overcome.” Bynorth warned that more needs to be done to make the switching to EV easier and more appealing: “There have been positive announcements, such as the plans to turn the A9 into an ‘Electric Highway’ by introducing more charging points, but there remains a pressing need to ensure the number of places where motorists can plug in and top up their EV charge keeps up with demand.

“Huge investment is needed, particularly in developing the network of rapid chargers so motorists will be able to stop and charge up for around 20 minutes or less, and then carry on their journeys.

“Range anxiety can be addressed by local authorities ensuring there are enough rapid plug-in charge points so that motorists will be able to plug in at shopping centres, outside libraries, in car-parks and outside their workplaces.”

“Cutting down on planning red-tape and the costs faced by local authorities for installing charging points would also improve the ability of local authorities to roll out charging points between now and 2032. Decisions need to be taken now to ensure there are enough charging points to cope with demand in the coming decades.”