Edinburgh Napier University

The Scottish Government has reinforced its support for electric vehicles at a special event at Edinburgh Napier.

The University’s Transport Research Institute hosted its annual electric vehicle event at Craiglockhart campus yesterday (11 October), bringing together key stakeholders and organisations involved with the development of greener modes of transport in Scotland.

The event welcomed Minister for Transport and the Islands Humza Yousaf MSP as its keynote speaker.

Addressing the packed audience, Humza Yousaf reinforced the Scottish Government’s ambitious plans to phase out new petrol and diesel cars by 2032, ahead of the UK Government’s aim to do the same by 2040. He also issued a rallying call for ideas and support from key stakeholders to make this aim a reality.

He said: “The timing of my appearance here today is topical given the Scottish Government’s recent strengthening of its commitment to decarbonising transport.

“This event is a great example of what we require to deliver our ambitions – input from the people in this room, the key stakeholders within the electric vehicle industry, is vital.”

Alongside Humza Yousaf’s keynote address, the event also saw Edinburgh Napier’s own Professor Tariq Muneer outline the areas that are currently shaping research into electric vehicle use – from environmental issues to the manufacturing experience.

Other topics falling under the spotlight were the Falkirk low-carbon vehicle hub project, the changing taxi marketplace and insight into the ChargePlace Scotland infrastructure programme. The event also welcomed Dr Matjaz Knez from the University of Maribor in Slovenia who gave an overview of the factors that are currently affecting Slovenian drivers’ use of electric vehicles.

A suite of electric vehicles – including the Tesla S and X, a BMW i3 and i8, a Nissan Leaf, an eNV200 panel van, a Toyota Yaris hybrid, an Auris hybrid and a C-HR hybrid – were also on display for attendees.

Professor Tariq Muneer said: “This is the third year that we’ve held this event and it continues to go from strength-to-strength. We have a long history of research into electric vehicles at Edinburgh Napier so we’re delighted to continue to be at the forefront of the industry’s adoption not only in Scotland, but also the UK and throughout the world.”