Dundee named Europe’s most electric vehicle-friendly city

The World Electric Vehicle Association named Dundee the most electric vehicle-friendly city in the UK for its initiatives encouraging the use of EVS, at its annual gathering in Kobe, Japan.

Dundee City Council has developed the UK’s largest public sector fleet of clean vehicles, with almost 40% of the council’s cars and vans being electric. Additionally, 15% of the city’s taxis are also now electric. Electric and hydrogen buses will also soon be on the road.

There are currently 3 main charging hubs in the city, which provide more than 20 charge posts, including the UK’s first solar-powered EV charging. Work has now begun on Dundee’s fourth electric vehicle charging hub, with further hubs planned at the city’s 3 main multi-storey car parks. Owners of EVs in Dundee can also apply for free parking at various spots around the city.

These projects are part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, Dundee City Council, Transport Scotland and the UK Government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles. To date, £3m has been invested in the city’s ‘Drive Dundee Electric’ campaign.

Convener of Dundee City Council’s city development committee Lynne Short said: “We are truly honoured to receive this prestigious award. It’s fantastic that our work to improve transport and air quality for the people of Dundee is also providing inspiration for other cities around the world.”

Alister Hamilton, director of the Electric Vehicle Association Scotland who nominated the city for the award said: “This is fantastic recognition of Dundee’s commitment to putting in place infrastructure to support EV use and we’re proud to have nominated the city, resulting in such a prestigious title coming to Scotland.

“The award will help cement Scotland’s position in leading the way in the UK and we hope other cities will follow Dundee’s lead in supporting widespread adoption of electric travel.”