SWARCO eVolt has been named the preferred bidder to operate the ChargePlace Scotland network. The contract to run Scotland’s public electric vehicle (EV) charging network is estimated to be worth up to £1.2 million and will be expected to run for a minimum of two years with the option to extend.
From July 2021, SWARCO eVolt – which provides EV charging infrastructure as well as systems and services to support them – will take over from Charge Your Car as the back-office operator enabling EV drivers to access over 1,600 publicly available charge points across Scotland.
Following a smooth transition, the priority is to continue to improve ChargePlace Scotland’s reputation for reliability and accessibility for EV drivers across the country. The new contract will bring new jobs to Scotland, improved customer service and better performance information for users, owners and hosts.
Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, said:
“I’m pleased that SWARCO will soon operate the ChargePlace Scotland network. They are already a trusted and valued partner in Scotland’s journey to net zero by providing much of the quality EV charging infrastructure that drivers use across the country. The development of EV infrastructure in our communities brings economic benefits right across Scotland – and it’s good to see that this contract with SWARCO will bring new jobs to Dundee at the Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc – Scotland’s hub for net-zero innovation.”
Justin Meyer, Managing Director for SWARCO eVolt, said:
“We share a passion and drive with the Scottish Government, the Local Authorities and the private sector who are responsible for building the network, and are proud to have been actively involved with its development from the very beginning.
“SWARCO’s key focus will be on service delivery and maximum uptime. EV drivers will need to have total confidence in the network to keep them on the road, and it is with this in mind that we will be developing the gold standard in service for the driver community.”
The new contract also provides an opportunity to explore innovative new capabilities. Interoperability and pay-as-you-go options, such as Zap-Pay, could be one such example of this.
The news comes on top of a recent boost for EV drivers, with Instavolt and Welcome Break opening a new rapid charging hub by the M6.
Publicly available charge points are displayed on Zap-Map’s iOS, Android and desktop apps, which provide details about the location, type, status and availability of each charging point.
