Central Fife is set to get more charging points for Electric Vehicles (EV), after the council set out its £3m plans to add new sites as well as additional stations to existing charging sites.

Fife Cabinet Committee councillors have unanimously approved a brand new EV strategy, which could see the charging network expanded to 80 council managed parking areas across the Kingdom. 

A total of 60 proposed sites are earmarked for their very first EV charging stations. 

Cowdenbeath, Cardenden and Kelty are all set to see new charging station sites, while an existing EV charge site in Cowdenbeath will also see more charging outlets.

“A site assessment has been undertaken to estimate the most efficient use of the council owned car parks throughout Fife in order to meet future EV charging demand,” the strategy said. 

However, the strategy specifically states that Fife’s approach is to “work with a Charge Point Operator” to develop a commercial operating model aimed at attracting investment interest – “allowing the expansion and development of a network of accessible EV chargers across all settlements in Fife”. 

“Fife Council will work with the Charge Point Operator to seek grant funding to complement private sector capital investment,” the strategy said. 

With an approved strategy now in place, John Mitchell, Fife’s head of roads and transportation, told councillors that Fife is also eligible to access part of the Scottish Government’s £30 million Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund (EVIF). 

“In terms of the Scottish Government, they’re putting up £30 million with a view to leverage another £30 million from the commercial sector. So there’s a potential  £60 million to develop EV offerings,” he said

Mr Mitchell said it’s “anticipated” that Fife could claim up to £1 million from EVIF.

Looking at the short term, Fife is also working regionally with SEStran and the City Region’s Deal to look at options for creating a “cohesive” EV charging network. 

60 sites in Fife have been earmarked for their very first EV charging stations, including: Cardenden’s Station Road Car Park, Cowdenbeath’s Central Park Car Park, Cowdenbeath’s Bridge Street & High Street Car Parks, and Kelty’s Keltyhill Road Car Park 

Another 20 other sites in Fife have been earmarked for additional EV charging stations, including Cowdenbeath’s Stenhouse Street Car Park.