Swarco eVolt and Schneider Electric have been chosen as suppliers for SP Energy Networks’ (SPEN) Project Pace.
The former is to deliver the 40 electric vehicle (EV) chargers located in Lanarkshire, whilst Schneider Electric is to provide the electrical equipment needed to connect the chargers to the electricity network.
The first charger was installed last month, with SPEN working with North and South Lanarkshire Councils on site selection and specifications for the remaining hubs, which are to be hosted by the local authorities in council-owned car parks.
The community hub sites are being chosen to help fill gaps in the current provision for future EV users, SPEN said, as well as being locations where commercial chargers are unlikely to be installed in the short to medium term.
The locations are to take the existing electricity infrastructure location and capacity into consideration, alongside land availability and the need for public access.
As such, new charging hubs are planned to be placed in locations such as Time Capsule in Coatbridge, Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld, the Ally McCoist Complex in East Kilbride and Carstairs Park and Ride among others.
Justin Meyer, general manager of Swarco eVolt, said: “It is an ambitious initiative delivering an intensive roll-out programme of EV charging points.
“Project PACE’s concentrated programme in Lanarkshire will offer valuable insight into the positive effects that a robust network of charging hubs can have on EV ownership.”
It is hoped the project will help support community transport organisations across the area electrify, therefore helping to achieve the Scottish government’s plans to phase-out the sale of new internal combustion engine vehicles by 2032.
SPEN has invested £1.2 million in the project as part of the EV Strategic Partnership between the electricity network companies and the Scottish government, which was announced by in August 2019.
Scott Mathieson, director of network planning and regulation at SPEN, said that the project will “serve as a blueprint for other areas across the country” and will help to ensure “every community has equal access to charging points connected into Scotland’s electricity networks”.
