Gathering data and identifying stakeholders

On 26 July 2021, the Scottish Government launched a consultation: Building regulations - energy standards and associated topics - proposed changes. Section 7 of the consultation sought views on the requirements we proposed to set out in legislation for the installation of EV charge points and enabling infrastructure in a number of different building types with parking spaces (set out in the background chapter of this publication). The consultation closed on 28 November and analysis of those responses was undertaken by Harlow Consulting.

In addition, Transport Scotland hosted four Q&A webinars in August and September 2021 on the policy proposals for EV charge points. A number of stakeholders participated, including representatives from the public sector, building developers and the transport sector. These webinars were open to all and advertised on the consultation website.

Specifically, we hosted an Islands themed webinar on 2 September 2021 to discuss these proposals with stakeholders from island communities – the webinar was open to all, including those who live in the islands.

We received responses from all six island councils and a further two responses from stakeholders in the island communities, alongside a number of responses from bodies that represent the whole of Scotland.

In addition, Transport Scotland funded the University of Edinburgh’s ClimateXChange research programme to undertake an evidence review, including case studies, of the cost of installing EV charge points and infrastructure in new buildings in a number of different scenarios, including one case study in an island context. The review and case studies were published in ClimateXChange’s research paper, Electric vehicle enabled buildings: evidence review of installation costs.

The research and the views gathered through the consultation process informed this assessment and our decision-making process.