It is increasingly important for tourists and business visitors to ensure that any trip to Shetland is as sustainable and responsible as possible. With charging points all over the islands, and hybrid vehicles and electric bikes available for hire, the islands are well-equipped for the future of clean motoring.
Shetland has a well-developed infrastructure for electric vehicles and e-bikes, with a relatively high number of e-vehicle charging points per head of population
One of the organisations involved in the development of the public charging network is Shetland Islands Council, which has a keen focus on the transformation needed to tackle climate change. As such the council is well versed about the practicalities of taking an electric-powered drive around these beautiful islands.
According to Elliot Tait, carbon officer for estates and operations, there are 12 chargers in Lerwick, and 14 dotted around the rest of the islands.
"These are mainly fast chargers (7 to 22kW) where charge time will vary depending on the type of car you drive. There are also 6 rapid chargers in place that will fully charge your car in around 1 hour.”
You can find charging points at various locations, and these are geographically spread throughout the Islands. This means you shouldn’t find yourself too far from a charge point, allowing you to enjoy some of the spectacular sights Shetland has to offer.
So where exactly can you charge your electric vehicle? ChargePlace Scotland has a map of the charging points dotted around Shetland, and a number of additional charge points are due to be commissioned shortly while plans for future charge points being developed.
There are 12 chargers in Lerwick, and 14 dotted around the rest of the islands.
To charge your electric car at a public charging point in Shetland, you'll need to have a charging card (which you can get from your car rental company or from an independent charging provider). Alternatively, you can download the Chargeplace app.
Once you have your charging card or app, simply scan it at the charging point, connect the cable to your car, and start charging.
The tariff (in 2023) to use the network of public electric vehicle chargers in Shetland is 47p per kWh at fast chargers and 57p per kWh at rapid chargers.
At the time of writing, hybrid vehicles are available to hire from Jim’s Garage and Star Rent a Car, while anyone driving a fully electric vehicle can use the charging infrastructure.
So what else should the drivers of electric vehicles bear in mind before planning their Shetland road trip?
Elliot, himself an EV owner, says: “It’s worth bearing in mind the time of year that you’re coming to Shetland. Cars tend to run for longer distances in summertime due to changing atmospheric conditions.
"Taking my car as an example, it does 200 miles without charge in summer, compared to 120 miles in winter. Having said that, given the size of Shetland, you can get from Sumburgh (at the southernmost tip of Shetland's Mainland) to the top of Unst (the most northerly point) in just one charge.”
He added: “The good news for visitors is that they should find it straightforward to find an unused charging point.”
Driving an electric car in Shetland is an excellent option if you want to explore these islands in a sustainable and eco-friendly way.
With more and more charging points being installed all the time, it's never been easier to enjoy Shetland in your electric car.
For those who want to enjoy the beauty of these islands on two wheels, electric bikes are also available for hire.
The Lerwick-based social enterprise, Shetland Community Bike Project, runs a bike shop. Located on Commercial Road near the town centre, it is an accredited Volt e-bike dealer. Whether you're a cruise passenger in Lerwick for the day, or are planning to explore the islands for longer, the Bike Project currently has six Volt e-bikes available for hire.
Manager Caroline Adamson says the feedback on these e-bikes has been “tremendous” with many customers saying that they wouldn’t have been able to manage the Shetland terrain without one.
Caroline adds: "An experienced cyclist might be able to cycle the 30 miles to Sumburgh alright, but if the wind is against them on the return then it’s not so easy. That’s where electric bikes are so helpful.”
The bikes’ batteries hold their charge for about 60 miles. Caroline adds that the Bike Project supplies chargers for customers to take with them, and that local hotels and café are often willing to allow cyclists to top up their charge if running low.
Bike hire costs £30 for a day and £180 for seven days, with a refundable deposit of £50. Accessories such as high viz gear, helmets and panniers can also be provided.
Whether you wish to explore the islands by car or by bicycle, Shetland has everything you need for an electric-powered and sustainable adventure.
Discover more about how Shetland enterprises are leading the way in using natural resources to power a clean energy future. That includes harnessing the power of the ocean to generate tidal energy, which can be used to charge your electric vehicles.