ScottishPower has been appointed as the new operator of the Highlands and Islands electric vehicle (EV) charging network, taking over from ChargePlace Scotland as part of a regional transition led by the Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS).
The agreement covers public chargers across Argyll & Bute, the Western Isles, Orkney, and Shetland, where HITRANS manages infrastructure on behalf of local councils. Around 123 charge points will move to ScottishPower’s management platform within 18 months, supported by Fuuse’s back-office technology.
While ScottishPower will handle payment systems, real-time monitoring, and customer service, local councils will continue to own the equipment, set tariffs, and retain revenue.
Migration will start with 60 charge points by winter 2025, with the remainder shifting in early 2026. The rollout includes 37 units in Argyll and Bute, 29 in the Western Isles, 30 in Orkney, and 27 in Shetland.
Motorists will be able to access the network using ScottishPower’s Recharge App or new RFID cards, while interoperability with roaming partners will allow use by visiting drivers.
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“We know that rural areas often face more challenges when it comes to accessing charging infrastructure, and we are committed to working with HITRANS to improve this,” said Chris Carberry, ScottishPower’s Strategic Development Director. “This will help support wider public access to rapid charging as we all move towards a Net Zero future.”
Gemma Robinson, EV Infrastructure Project Manager for HITRANS, said ScottishPower’s “high-quality bid” and prior collaboration made it a strong partner. “We are looking forward to working with their Smart Mobility team again on new objectives, having already successfully delivered a project together,” she said.
