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First EV charging hub delivered through Project PACE in Scotland

Posted: 6 August 2020 |

Project PACE is a strategic partnership with the Scottish Government and electricity network companies and aims to speed up the roll out of electric vehicle charging hubs.

First EV charging hub delivered through Project PACE in Scotland

The first electric vehicle (EV) charging hub delivered through a strategic project has now been installed in Strathclyde Country Park, North Lanarkshire, Scotland.

Using a new model of delivery to improve efficiency, Project PACE has now installed EV charging infrastructure at the first of over 40 sites across North and South Lanarkshire to be delivered by April 2021. A Scottish Government investment of £5.3 million aims to deliver up to 180 new public EV charge points for the ChargePlace Scotland network which will is planned to more than triple EV charging capacity across Lanarkshire by April 2021.

This project is being delivered by SP Energy Networks as part of the EV Strategic Partnership between electricity network companies and the Scottish Government which was announced by the First Minister in August 2019. Project PACE is being facilitated by North and South Lanarkshire Councils, who are working in collaboration with Transport Scotland and SP Energy Networks in order to test a new approach to planning and delivering EV charging infrastructure.

Credit: SP Energy Networks

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Michael Matheson, said: “I’m pleased to see the first charging hub delivered through Project PACE. The initiative demonstrates how collaboration and a joined-up approach will facilitate Scotland’s green recovery. This is part of our EV Strategic Partnership with Scotland’s electricity distribution network operator companies that is helping understand the vital role they can play in delivering more charging infrastructure in a cost efficient and effective way.

“I’m also encouraged by SP Energy Networks determination to support a green economy through their new awards to Community Transport Providers based in Lanarkshire. This is helping to ensure community groups can also take advantage of the many benefits of EVs in an inclusive and accessible way – helping to support our response to the climate emergency.

“This is all part of our ambition to phase out the need for new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2032. We’re investing over £30 million in our ChargePlace Scotland network and I’m encouraged that Scotland already has the highest level of rapid EV charging provision per head of population in comparison to the rest of the UK. We will continue to go from strength to strength through initiatives like Project PACE as we continue to decarbonise our transport system.”

Vicky Kelsall, Chief Operating Officer, SP Energy Networks, added: “This project provides an incredible acceleration of electric transport in Lanarkshire to ensure no community is left behind. Our optioneering study identified over 40 community hubs where it will be most effective to install public electric vehicle chargers that offer universal access. The six new chargers in Strathclyde Country Park are just the start as we roll out 180 across North and South Lanarkshire.  

“This project demonstrates an innovative delivery model that, if adopted more widely, could help accelerate the transition to net zero and support Scotland’s green economic recovery.

“We’re also helping Lanarkshire communities establish low carbon infrastructure by providing £1.2 million funding for electric minibuses, vans and people carriers for community transport providers – building electric fleets that allow them to play a part in improving the region’s air quality and supporting some of the community’s most vulnerable residents.”