Project summary
Twelve 50kW rapid charging infrastructure sites spread across rural parts of western Scotland. The project aims to provide robust, reliable rapid charging, designed to be accessible to everyone.
Background
Facilitating a Sustainable Transition to Electric Vehicles in the Regions (FASTER) was a collaborative project between Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland. It was supported by the Interreg VA programme and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). It commenced in October 2020.
Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS) was the organisation overseeing the Scottish branch of the project. This involved installing rapid chargepoints in three council areas: Highland, Argyll & Bute and Western Isles.
Rationale
This partnership aimed to facilitate the installation of rapid chargers in rural areas, which are often viewed as less commercially viable.
Through engagement with three local authorities, HITRANS discovered that some existing chargers were often out of order for extended periods of time. Their research and stakeholder engagement also brought out the challenges that disabled electric vehicle (EV) drivers can have in accessing existing chargepoints.
They were aware that the installations were likely to be (at least initially) the only rapid chargepoints in those areas. So, there was considerable focus on reliability and accessibility throughout the project and particularly within the procurement phase.
Project overview
HITRANS enlisted the support of PNDC (Power Networks Demonstration Centre) to help with identifying sites, and Cenex to set up a procurement process. PNDC is an energy systems research, test and demonstration facility based out of the University of Strathclyde. Cenex is an independent, not-for-profit expert partner and research technology organisation focused on low emission transport and associated energy infrastructure.
The FASTER project offered a supply and services contract for up to 24 rapid chargers, located in the Highlands and Islands. As these sites are in some of the most rural communities in Scotland, project leads took steps to ensure the chargepoints would cater to the unique needs of the regions’ users. This included having a robust procurement process to guarantee the reliability and accessibility of the installed infrastructure.
Reliability
The invitation to tender was designed to give more weight to bids that were strong on chargepoint operation and maintenance provision. Suppliers received a list of ‘basic requirements’ which had to be met. Alongside this were desirable features; the more of which could be met, the better they scored. The categories covered were as follows:
Installation standards and contractor guarantee
- Chargepoint equipment functional lifetime
- Chargepoint servicing
- Chargepoint warranty
- Fault reporting, resolution and support
- Chargepoint performance KPIs and KPI reporting
- Chargepoint communications connectivity
This tender design set a minimum standard while also rewarding those able to structure an offering above this. It also established a baseline for specifying terms in the final contract.
Accessibility
In consultation with Urban Foresight, HITRANS included a suitably weighted question in the tender focused on accessible design. As with reliability, this outlined ‘basic requirements’ and desirable features. The criteria assessed were as follows:
- Socket position
- Position of information panels/display screens
- Accessible communication
- Physical barriers to chargepoints
- Socket accessibility
- Cable management
- Emergency assistance
- Shelter
- Lighting and personal security
- Future development
Ambition
The project was started well before the introduction of the Public Charge Point Regulations 2023 – these stipulate that, as of November 2024, all public rapid chargers must demonstrate 99% uptime. HITRANS were already aware that long wait times were a common problem for chargepoint repairs in rural areas and therefore emphasised the need to minimise this in the project procurement process.
HITRANS designed the project to maximise inclusivity, incorporating PAS1899:2022 accessibility guidance as much as possible. In line with this guidance, they looked to have 1.2m wide hatched markings on either side and the rear of all bays. This would give people using wheelchairs or other mobility aids extra room to plug in, unplug and manoeuvre around their vehicles. Longer bays have the added advantage of being able to accommodate light vans. Where space was limited, they sought to fit in as many of these accessibility design features as the site would allow.
Progress so far
Scottish Power won the tender for the supply, installation and maintenance of all chargepoints. They have installed 23 50kW rapid chargers across 12 sites in western Scotland. All chargepoitns went live in December 2024 and connected to a 100% renewable energy supply.
The site locations are as follows:
Highland
- Portree
- Ballachulish
- Strontian
Argyll & Bute
- Dunoon
- Rothesay
- Oban
- Tarbert
- Tobermory
Eilean an Siar (the Western Isles)
- Harris
- Benbecula
- Lewis
- South Uist
Six of the sites are classified as very remote and rural. The project is therefore helping support a just transition by having EV charging infrastructure in these areas.
The final maintenance contract is clearer and stronger on enforcement than is typical for local authority EV infrastructure maintenance contracts. This should improve uptime and reliability.
There are a total of 28 bays across the whole project that have extended parking bays and longer CCS cables. These can accommodate SUVs that are up to 6m long. The project designers made additional accessible design improvements through consultation with the Motability Foundation. These included increased hatching, bollards spaced to allow wheelchair access and – where possible – lower plinth heights. Plinths could not be fully flush with the ground due to flood risk. They also decided to remove the side-mounted AC charging as these can be more difficult for wheelchair users to use.
Challenges faced
Some sites selected for the chargepoints were not owned by the councils so they had to lease land from private landowners. This introduced a need to secure licences and set out necessary agreements for the work to go ahead, which slowed progress.
The project began before the PAS 1899:2022 accessibility standards were developed. As such, HITRANS could not draw on this guidance during the initial design phase.
Due to space constraints, not all car parks could accommodate a fully accessible design.
Key lessons learned
When choosing the chargepoint sites, ensure you have enough space for integrating accessibility requirements.
It’s important to finalise design decisions relating to accessibility early on so that the project brief is clear. This will allow potential suppliers to properly price their bids.
Consider the reality of what is actually possible for chargepoint suppliers to provide when planning the project design.
A carefully designed procurement process is key to successfully developing a chargepoint installation that is as inclusive as possible.
Strive to reach the highest level of accessibility to that as many people as possible can use the chargepoints. Not every site can accommodate all requirements but communicate clearly to charegepoints users what accessibility adjustments are in place.
Further Information
https://hitrans.org.uk/projects/faster/
Contact Information
