Some Glasgow locations could be ‘no go zones’ for potential electric car chargers as there may not be enough power to cope in every area, a meeting has heard.
Petrol stations are among places people could see new chargers being installed as a huge push for more infrastructure kicks off.
A total of 8,800 chargers are needed across the wider Glasgow region by 2026 to meet predicted demand.
It comes as the sale of new petrol or diesel cars is to be banned in the UK by 2030.
Presenting details of a charging infrastructure study, Mairi Joyce, of consultancy Mott MacDonald, told Glasgow’s City Region Cabinet: “Within Glasgow city region there is going to be a significant requirement for an increase in electric vehicle charging infrastructure.”
Reporting on feedback from Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN) Ms Joyce said: “Generally there is sufficient capacity in terms of overall power but there may be localised issues with particular areas.”
Speaking at the meeting earlier today, she added how there would be initial assessments taking place of where there might “be potential constraints as a result of the electricity network.”
She said Scottish Power will engage on an ongoing basis to understand what locations may be “problematic” and work with local authorities to try and alleviate any concerns.
How electric chargers will work going forward is being considered with options including them being under public control, privately operated or a mixture of both.
Speaking at the meeting today, South Lanarkshire council leader Joe Fagan said: “I would like to see a fair share of profits accruing to the public sector rather than corporate energy giants.”
He said there is an opportunity to build a municipal enterprise but accepted there are risks.
No decision has been made yet on what models will be used to run chargers across Glasgow.
There are currently about 950 charging stations across the region – including a mixture of local authority and privately funded devices.
Work has been taking place to develop a strategy and expansion plan for electric vehicle charging.
A senior officer group made up of staff from across the eight Glasgow region authorities is to be set up to shape and oversee the next stage of work on charging infrastructure.
The Glasgow City Region covers Glasgow City, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, Inverclyde, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire and West Dunbartonshire.
A total of £30m is to be made available to local authorities between 2022 to 2024 to support electric charging infrastructure.
The representative from Mott McDonald said locations for chargers are to be accessible and ensure equity.
Ms Joyce added said: “We are looking at an additional 5,500 charging devices across the region, which we think is going to be the strategic provision.”
She added: “It is not just about where we think EV update will be the highest it is also about making sure there is a fairness around the region.”
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