First EV charging hub delivered through Project PACE

The first electric vehicle (EV) charging hub delivered through a partnership with the Scottish Government and electricity network companies has now been installed in Strathclyde Country Park.

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 next year. This Scottish Government investment of £5.3m will deliver up to 180 new public EV charge points for the ChargePlace Scotland network which will 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.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson attended Strathclyde Park to see the new charging hub and to also welcome a £1.2 million investment from SP Energy Networks to Lanarkshire Community Transport groups through their Green Economy Fund. This will allow community organisations across North and South Lanarkshire to make the switch and help ensure no community in left behind in the transition to fully electric vehicles. Cabinet Secretary 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.”

“Project PACE is a tremendous opportunity to improve sustainable, low carbon travel opportunities across Lanarkshire, and of course is part of the wider public network that will benefit the whole of Scotland. We recognise that to encourage people to use electric vehicles the infrastructure has to be there. Today marks an important step on that journey.”