PRIVATE sector investment is “essential” to the success of electric vehicle take-up in the Borders, councillors have been informed.

The Scottish Government has set a net zero target for greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.

As part of its green agenda the council is overseeing the installation of electric charging points across the region – with private investment seen as the key to its success.

At a meeting of full council on Thursday (October 27), East Berwickshire councillor James Anderson questioned what the local authority was doing to ensure the infrastructure that will feed the electric car revolution was being planned for and put in place.

He said: “As SBC plans for greener fleet vehicles, we ourselves have a shortage of charging points that are high enough voltage. Has Scottish Government given guidance on how to renew infrastructure with a plan to fund such upgrades?

“As a rural area, would investment in hydrogen technology be a better way forward and should SBC be seen to encourage vehicles when the infrastructure is not in place with large enough coverage, which leaves residents disappointed and angry?”

In response, councillor John Greenwell, executive member for roads development & maintenance, said the use of hydrogen technology was one of the options on the table, although it would also require “significant investment” in infrastructure.

He added: “Currently we are operating 72 charging points at SBC locations funded by the government’s Switched On Fleet initiative, in addition a further separately funded project is nearing completion which will see an additional 70 charging points  ranging from seven kilowatts to 22 kilowatts installed at the Newtown depot and at Bowden Road, with some of the points publicly available.

“We currently have 60 electric vehicles with a further 24 in procurement for 2022/23. We applied for vehicle funding from Switched On Fleet for 22/23 but have so far been rejected. They have recommended that we seek funding for further installations of charging infrastructure, which is now in progress.

“SBC has maximised the investment of the external funding to deliver the current network of chargers and maintain them within existing budgets. The new approach to deliver private sector investment for the region is an essential step to help the Scottish Borders contribute to Scotland’s net zero target.”