Plans for a regional electric vehicle network could bring 436 new public charge points to Renfrewshire.
Renfrewshire Council’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board approved the latest stage of the project on Wednesday 26th August.
The indicative plans include 181 new charge points at 56 council-owned car park locations and 255 at 179 on-street locations.
Renfrewshire currently has 75 council-owned charge points. Their combined estimated value is £272,667.
The Glasgow City Region project covers eight council areas and is expected to attract between £45 million and £50 million of private investment.
At least 3,034 new charge points would be installed across the region under a 20-year contract estimated to be worth around £780 million.
A private charge point operator will take ownership of existing council equipment and become responsible for its operation and maintenance. The land and parking spaces will remain under council ownership.
The board approved delegated authority for Gordon McNeil, Director of Environment, Housing and Infrastructure, to authorise the transfer after the contract is awarded.
Councillor Gillian Graham asked how rural communities would be included and whether prices would be controlled.
Mr McNeil said: “We have been quite clear that we cannot have communities being left out of this, and we want to see a fair distribution across the entire region, but if we are being selfish about it, it is specifically across Renfrewshire.”
The council said tariffs would be monitored as part of the regional contract.
The current operating arrangement for existing public charge points is due to end in December 2026. The report warned that a delay in appointing the new operator could create a temporary gap in service.
Options include appointing a temporary operator or accepting a period during which some charge points may not be working.