What plans it has to develop guidance on cross-pavement solutions for charging electric vehicles.

The Scottish Government is committed to supporting the transition to EVs by ensuring that charging infrastructure is comprehensive, convenient and accessible.The Road (Scotland) Act 1984 identifies that responsibility for the road network, including control of private installations sits with roads authorities. Under Section 109 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, local authorities already have the power to issue permits for the installation of private apparatus, such as EV home charging points, therefore decisions pertaining to cross-pavement charging are the responsibility of Scotland’s local authorities, not Scottish Ministers.Current legislation does not provide a basis for the Scottish Government to develop national guidance. However, with support from Transport Scotland, on 22 May, the Scottish Collaboration of Transport Specialists (SCOTS) – a strategic collaborative body representing Scotland’s 32 local authorities and seven regional transport partnerships – published guidance on cross-pavement charging addressing the legal, safety and accessibility issues associated with its provision. This is a standard practice for roads authorities, who regularly collaborate in this way through SCOTS to produce national guidance.Through the Scottish Government’s Cross-Pavement Charging Grant Fund, households can access grants of up to £3,500 to help meet the cost of installing cross-pavement charging solutions at domestic properties without off-street parking, subject to agreement from the relevant local authority.