Approach to IAs
Themes
Transport Scotland’s Vision has five main themes, describing the attributes of an exemplar Scottish public electric vehicle charging network:
- Local communities, businesses and visitors have access to a well-designed, comprehensive and convenient network of public charge points, where these are needed.
- The public EV charging network works for everyone regardless of age, health, income or other needs.
- Scotland has attracted private investment to grow and sustain the public EV charging network.
- The public EV charging network is powered by clean, renewable energy and drivers benefit from advancements in energy storage. Smart tariffs and network design.
- People’s first choice wherever possible is active travel, shared, or public transport with the location of EV charge points supporting those choices.
The majority of public EV charging infrastructure will in future be largely financed, installed, maintained and operated by the private sector. The draft Implementation Plan notes that as the market matures, the Scottish Government’s key role in this market will be to enable private sector investment and prioritise action to ensure the continued development of a sustainable transport system which supports a Just Transition. The Scottish Government is prioritising action on this area through the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund (EVIF), which enables local authorities to draw in private investment to expand the number of public charge point owner-operator models, focusing public funding on the expansion of the network in areas which are less viable for commercial investment.
Our expectation is that, if other stakeholders effectively deliver upon their actions under the draft Vision Implementation Plan, the need for direct Government intervention to financially support the rollout of public EV charge points will cease to be necessary by 2030. Therefore, we consider that the responsibility to lead on achieving themes one to four sits with stakeholders, including public charge point operators, local authorities, and distribution network operators (DNOs).
Following feedback from initial stakeholder consultation, we consider that the Scottish Government will hold lead responsibility for taking forward action on theme five covering sustainable transport policy and will maintain an ongoing monitoring and convening role under themes one to four where necessary, intervening only as a last resort, to prevent market failure and /or ensure the provision of critical transport infrastructure.
Therefore, it is the actions identified for the Scottish Government which this integrated impact assessment focuses on which are found under theme five.
Analytical approach
The parent policy impact assessments have been considered in two ways. Firstly, where the original assessment conclusion specifically mentions impact pertaining to the public EV charging infrastructure, the decarbonisation of transport or the wider net zero energy transition, this report reflects that conclusion (original assessment conclusion). Secondly, where the assessment provides analysis which does not include an impact conclusion specifically pertaining to the above topics, but provides evidence which can also provide a position on impacts generated by the public EV charging infrastructure, we have considered and concluded in this report whether the actions to be taken by the Scottish Government and documented in the future Implementation Plan have an uncertain, positive or negative impact pertaining to public EV charging infrastructure in Scotland. We have indicated which approach was used in each case.
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Terminology |
Explanation |
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Positive impact |
Beneficial effects arise from action or policy |
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Negative impact |
Adverse effects arise from action or policy |
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Uncertain impact |
Effects from action or policy not known or definite |
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Disproportionately impacted |
Used in some Island Community Impact Assessments (ICIAs) meaning island communities are impacted in a larger or smaller way in comparison to the mainland |
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Original assessment conclusion |
Impact classification in this IIA is the same as the classification in the original impact assessment for this category / topic |
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Vision Implementation Plan (VIP) conclusion |
Impact classification developed for this IIA, based upon evidence from original assessment for this category / topic |
The following chapters assess the parent policies by type of impact assessment, looking at the most recent parent policy first. This ensures that where multiple policies have included the same evidence, for example, in the EQIA, this report only cites the most up to date detail and data.
Considerations per Impact Assessment
It is important to recognise that many of the Impact Assessments have not been created to assess public charging infrastructure exclusively, but rather as part of the wider decarbonisation of transport, energy and planning systems. Therefore, the following considerations have been made when assessing these Impact Assessments.
Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) 2 EQIA
Of the six themes which the 45 recommendations of the final STPR 2 report fall into, the theme relevant to the Vision Implementation Plan is the decarbonisation of transport theme which includes the recommendation of zero emission vehicles and infrastructure transition.
National Planning Framework 4 Post Adoption Integrated Assessment EQIA
Transport is a key policy area for NPF4 and it supports developments that prioritise public transport and active travel for all. The EQIA does not go into detail with respect to EVs and their charging infrastructure, however it does encourage a transition to low-emission vehicles and associated charging infrastructure.
National Planning Framework 4 Post Adoption Integrated Assessment Fairer Scotland Duty
This assessment focuses on the issues around lack of coverage, reliability and affordability of public transport, especially in deprived communities. The assessment highlights that the policy has been reviewed and reframed on positive changes to support sustainable modes of transport and including equalities groups in the decision making to mitigate negative effects.
Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) 2 ICIA
This assessment highlighted the necessity to increase economic prosperity and address the unique challenges faced by island communities.
National Transport Strategy 2 (NTS 2) ICIA
NTS 2 is a strategy for Scotland’s whole transport system and considers why we travel, how these trips are made and sets out a strategic framework to achieve a sustainable, inclusive, safe and accessible transport system, helping deliver a healthier, fairer and more prosperous Scotland for all. While NTS 2 does not include specific detail around the development of a public charge point network, it does have parent policies which should include EVs and public charging as part of the mix.
National Planning Framework (NPF) 4 Post Adoption ICIA
NPF4 states that the planning system does not directly address the affordability of public transport services, however it suggests that local living and the 20-minute neighbourhood concept alongside active travel can support an alternative for some journeys.
National Planning Framework (NPF) 4 CRWIA
The NPF4 integrated impact assessment considered that there were no negative impacts upon children or young people.
Transport Transition Plan (TTP) Statutory Assessment Interim Update CRWIA
As with NPF4, this assessment concluded that a full CRWIA was not required. No direct detail connected to EV charging infrastructure is included in this assessment however it does mention a link to young people living in rural areas and income levels with respect to transport and the general barriers impacting all young people when looking to purchase a vehicle.