Electric vehicle charging points

Three different types of electric vehicle charger are available. These are:

• Rapid chargers (50kW DC/ 43kW AC) - capable of delivering an 80% charge in around 30 minutes
• Fast chargers (22kW AC) - capable of recharging a car fully in around 3 hours
• Standard chargers (7kW AC) - capable of recharging a car fully in around 6 hours

Charging times vary from vehicle to vehicle and may be longer than those quoted as not all vehicles are able to accept charge at the maximum rate that the post can deliver. Please consult your vehicle handbook for details.

Electric Vehicle Charging Points can be found at the following locations:

Rapid Triple Charger (43kW AC Mennekes connector, 50kW DC CCS connector and 50kW CHAdeMO connector.) Can charge two vehicles at once – one AC and one DC – and will de-rate to supply 25kW to each side:

• Aberdeen Snowsports Centre car park, Garthdee  AB10 7BA (Use Asda access from Garthdee Road). Available 24 hours.
• Broomhill Road car park, AB10 6HS. Available 24 hours.
• Gallowgate car park, AB25 1DL (South side by exit). Available 24 hours.
• Sclattie Park car park, Bucksburn AB21 9RG. Available 24 hours.
• Langdykes Road, Cove Bay, AB12 3HW. Available 24 hours.
• Exploration Drive, Bridge of Don AB23 8GX. Available 24 hours
• Kingswells Park and Ride, lower car park, AB15 8PL. Available 24 hours 
• Craibstone Park and Ride, Dyce - Coming soon  

Fast Charger (Double unit with 22kW AC Mennekes socket on each side.) Can charge two vehicles at once. When two vehicles charge, Chapel Street and Frederick Street units will de-rate to supply 11kW to each side:

• Chapel Street car park, AB10 1ST (Ground floor by exit). Three public sockets. Available 24 hours.
• Frederick Street car park, AB24 5HY (Ground floor). One public socket only. Available 24 hours.
• Dunmail Avenue car park, Cults AB15 9LW. Two public sockets. Available 24 hours.
• Golden Square outer car park, AB10 1RD (opposite South Silver Street). One public socket only. Available 24 hours.
• Danestone Community Centre car park, AB22 8ZP. One public socket only. Available 24 hours.
• Bridge of Don Library car park, AB22 8HH. One public socket only. Available 24 hours.
• Cornhill Shopping Centre car park, AB16 5UT. Two public sockets. Available 24 hours.
• Mastrick Road car park, AB16 5PY. One public socket only. Available 24 hours.
• Hazlehead Park eastern car park, AB15 5BJ. Two public sockets. Available 24 hours.
• Satrosphere car park, AB24 5TU. One public socket only. Available from 9am to 6pm.
• Kincorth Library car park, AB12 5NP. One public socket only. Available 24 hours.
• Aberdeen Royal Infirmary Eye Clinic car park, AB25 2WA. Two public sockets. Available 24 hours.
• Aberdeen Royal Infirmary Rosehill Annexe, AB25 2EH. Two public sockets. Available 24 hours. 
• Langdykes Road, Cove Bay, AB12 3HW. Two public sockets. Available 24 hours.
• Exploration Drive, Bridge of Don AB23 8GX. Two public sockets. Available 24 hours.
• Kingswells Park and Ride, lower car park, AB15 8UN. Two public sockets. Available 24 hours.

Standard charger (Double unit with 7kW AC Mennekes socket on each side. Can charge two vehicles at once)

• Gallowgate car park, AB25 1DL (North side by entrance). One public socket only. Available 24 hours.
• West North Street car park, AB25 1DR (Ground floor by entrance). Two public sockets. Available 24 hours.
• Polmuir Road, AB11 7TH (at rear gates to Duthie Park). Two public sockets. Available 24 hours.
• Kingswells Park and Ride, AB15 8UN (in upper car park). Two public sockets. Available 24 hours.

The operating system for the units is run by a company called ChargePlace Scotland. You can become a member of ChargePlace Scotland for £20 per year. On joining, you'll receive a ChargePlace Scotland card which you swipe across the unit in order to use it. As well as allowing you to use the charging points listed on this page, it will allow you to use any ChargePlace Scotland charge point as well as many others across the UK. If you don't want to become a member, you can use the points by downloading the ChargePlace Scotland mobile phone app or by phoning Chargeplace Scotland.

However, becoming a member is advised as the card is easier to use and does not rely on mobile phone reception or battery! For details of how to purchase the card, how to download the app, phone numbers or to find locations of other ChargePlace Scotland points please go to:

• Chargeplace Scotland 

There are two different makes of electric vehicle charging units that Aberdeen City Council operates. Siemens units and APT (Evolt) units. Although they do a similar job there are some slight differences in the way they operate. You can download full instructions on how to use each unit below:

The charging service is free. However, where parking charges apply, you are expected to pay these as normal. For the Golden Square charge point, those with parking permits for Zone A can use the charge point without being charged for parking. Provided that you stay with the vehicle while using the Gallowgate Rapid Charger, the parking charge will be waived.

The project has been funded by the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV), Transport Scotland and the Energy Saving Trust as part of the Chargeplace Scotland scheme. Find out more about the Chargeplace Scotland project here:

• Chargeplace Scotland

Do you have any electric cars that I can try out?

Co-wheels car club in Aberdeen have 17 electric vehicles on their fleet, including cars and vans. Members of Co-wheels can hire cars from time periods of 30 minutes to 10 days. To find out more about Co-wheels and how you can join them, go to Co-wheels. 

Given the time benefits, why haven't you installed rapid chargers at all locations?

Unfortunately this is not practical due to the cost of the units and the lack of availability of an adequate power supply in some locations. We have deliberately tried to match the speed of the charger to the type of location with Rapid Chargers located in high turnover locations or beside strategic routes and Standard Chargers in longer stay car parks where people are likely to be leaving a car for longer periods.

Can all electric vehicles use these charging points?

Most mainstream production electric cars should be able to use these charge points without risk to their internal components. However, there are some exceptions. It is worth checking with your vehicle manufacturer to be sure.

Can electric vans use them?

Some electric vans can. However, there are some exceptions. Please check with your vehicle manufacturer.

Do I need a special cable to connect to the units?

All the AC units use a Mennekes Mode 3 Type 2 connector which is a 7 pin socket. If you have the standard 3 pin socket, compatible with many home charging systems then you will not be able to use the charging points. However, most manufacturers offer a 7-pin cable as an option. Check with them for details. The Rapid Charge unit has its own cables. However, the AC and DC sides both have different connections and plug into different parts of the vehicle so check your handbook for details.

Can I connect a mobility scooter up to these points?

No. The batteries in such vehicles are unable to cope with the size of the power supply and the rate of delivery from these units.

Can you give me more details of the make and model of the charging points?

The charge points at Golden Square, Dunmail Avenue and Aberdeen Snowsports Centre are Siemens Chargers. The others are from APT Technologies under their EVOLT brand.

Are these the only publicly available electric charge points in Aberdeen?

No, some other organisations have charge points available and more and more places are installing them. For an up to date list click on the following link: National Charge Point Registry
Other sources also give information, such as Zap Map

Can I speak to a current owner to get a real-life perspective on owning an electric vehicle?

Yes you can. The Energy Saving Trust Scotland have an online Electric vehicle users tool where anyone keen to find out more about a specific vehicle's range, driving style, charging time etc. can find an owner of that vehicle and ask them the questions they are keen to get answered. 

Home and workplace charging points installation information

Want to charge at home? You could get a grant towards the cost of a home charging point.

The Energy Saving Trust are offering funding to supply and install domestic electric vehicle charging points across Scotland. The units have a smart meter facility, whereby all power consumption and charging activity can be viewed online. Click on the following link for details of what is covered, how to apply and receive funding: Domestic charging point grants

Want to charge at work or are you a workplace looking to put in charging infrastructure? You could get a grant towards the cost of this.

The Energy Saving Trust are offering funding for workplace charge points. More details are available here: Electric vehicle charge point funding

Interest-free loans for electric vehicle purchase

Electric vehicle purchasing could be cheaper than you think thanks to an interest-free loan from the Energy Saving Trust, offered over a range of lengths up to 6 years! To find out more go to: Electric vehicle loans

Alan Simpson
Planning and Sustainable Development
Aberdeen City Council
Business Hub 4
Marischal College
Broad Street
Aberdeen
AB10 1AB

01224 522756

transportstrategy@aberdeencity.gov.uk