Rising Star award for Highland Council EV charging project leader from Inverness
A key member of Highland Council’s Climate Change and Energy Team has been named the Rising Star in the clean transport and energy industry at the recent Transport and Energy Awards.
Competing against the very best in the private sector, Rachael Anderson from Inverness was the only public sector nominee and achieved this remarkable success for her ground-breaking work in developing and promoting EV infrastructure across the Highlands.
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Over her six years with the council, Ms Anderson has led transformative projects that have significantly advanced the region's journey towards a low-carbon future.
Her achievements include the delivery of a robust EV charging network spanning 145 chargers across Scotland's most expansive and challenging geographic area, innovative solutions to improve grid connectivity, and the electrification of the Council’s fleet of 1198 vehicles.
She also spearheaded the introduction of a commercial EV charging tariff, making the Council's network the first in Scotland to be self-sustaining.
Ms Anderson’s commitment, innovation, and leadership have set a new benchmark for public sector engagement in clean energy initiatives, making the Highlands a national leader in sustainable transport solutions.
Chair of Highland Council’s climate change committee, Cllr Sarah Fanet said: "I have worked very closely with Rachael not just as chair of the climate change committee but as a ward councillor and seen how she has worked hard to transform our EV infrastructure but has also inspired a wider acceptance of sustainable transport in our communities.
“We are immensely proud of her achievements and thrilled to see her recognised on this prestigious platform."
Ms Anderson’s success underscores the critical role that public sector leadership plays in the clean energy transition, particularly in rural and remote regions.
This was further evidenced in Highland Council’s own success, named as the Best Local Authority EV Charging Scheme.
The local authority overcame stiff competition from Suffolk County Council, Oxfordshire County Council, and Dundee City Council—each widely acknowledged for their innovative work in this field.
This industry-wide award recognised the “outstanding” achievements of Highland Council’s Climate Change and Energy Team in developing and delivering one of the most expansive and accessible EV charging networks in the UK, spanning a region equivalent to the size of Belgium.
The initiative has been pivotal in enabling the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) across the Highlands, integrating 137 strategically placed charge points, with more on the way.
Its highlights include the deployment of chargers at 30-mile intervals to serve remote and rural communities, the innovative use of mobile battery storage units for remote areas, and strategic placement along the iconic A9 and North Coast 500 routes, boosting both local economies and EV tourism.
Collaboration has been central to the network’s development, with continuous engagement with communities, businesses, and stakeholders ensuring the infrastructure meets the needs of both residents and visitors.
This effort, alongside the team’s effective use of public and third-party funding, has solidified the Highlands as a leader in sustainable transport.
Cllr Sarah Fanet said: "I have taken part in a recent EV rally around the Highlands with businesses and organisations using electric vehicles to see the network for myself.
“There is going to be more and more electric vehicles on our roads and a lack of EV chargers in Highland would adversely affect our economy, could lead to services not being delivered and the people of the Highlands would suffer.
“It is vital that we have the right EV network in place. This award is a testament to the dedication and vision of our climate change and energy team who work hard on a daily basis to achieve just that’’.
