The UK Government published its Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution in November 2020, outlining the key approaches to reaching net zero.
As part of this, the sale of new petrol and diesel only vehicles is to be banned by 2030, and all new cars and vans are to be 100% zero emissions by 2035.
These ambitious targets will require a substantial increase in the delivery of electric vehicle (EV) charging points, with plans to increase the size of Scotland’s electric vehicle charging network by 200% over the next four years.
With 56% of vehicle sales being within the fleet market, and companies and organisations seeking to achieve net zero and decarbonisation, companies and organisation are shifting towards electric vehicles and/or electrifying their fleet. Whether this be through company cars or commercial vehicles, demand is increasing the pressure upon the existing infrastructure as has been widely reported.
Against this backdrop, the Scottish Government has recognised the requirement to deliver EV charging points with a significant shift in planning policy under the recent Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development and Uses Classes) Miscellaneous Amendment Order 2023, which came in to force 31 March 2023, behind the announcement of the National Planning Framework 4, which seeks to achieve net zero.
The new order removes restrictions that prevented these rights within conservation areas, national parks and other sensitive areas, and goes further by allowing electric vehicle ancillary equipment such as solar canopies and cabinets to be installed with any ‘excess’ power able to be used for other purposes.
This presents an immediate opportunity for those landowners adjacent to main arterial roads, edge of town locations, and occupiers of properties with car parking situated in town or village centres, to offer areas of ground to EV providers for the installation of charging points.
Whilst there is the traditional approach that sites will depend primarily on location, traffic flow and accessibility to other facilities, the ever-improving battery and EV point technology is diminishing the charge time and making standalone sites increasingly popular.
With the change in permitted development rights, landowners - and those with existing diversified businesses, such as retail enterprises, holiday lets, farm shops, cafes and commercial units - should look to take advantage of the policy change and additional benefits that a charge point can deliver, especially when EV drivers are on-site for prolonged periods while charging their vehicles.
EV operators offer long-term leases to landowners and tend to be structured on a base rent and/or a profit share rent, depending on the proposed volume and usage.
It is worth noting that while charge points occupy marginal areas of land, they do require up to 50% more space than a standard car parking space to facilitate the required infrastructure, so careful consideration of location, cabling and access is required.
Stuart Lobb is the associate director for utilities, energy and infrastructure at surveyor firm Davidson & Robertson
