SWARCO to operate ChargePlace Scotland

From July 2021, SWARCO will take over from Charge Your Car as the back office operator which enables people to access over 1600 publicly available charge points across Scotland.

SWARCO has been named the preferred bidder to operate the ChargePlace Scotland network. 

The contract to run Scotland’s public electric vehicle charging network will be expected to run for a minimum of 2 years with the option to extend.

From July 2021, SWARCO will take over from Charge Your Car as the back office operator which enables people to access over 1600 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 electric vehicle drivers across the country. The new contract will bring new jobs to Scotland, improved customer service and better performance information for users and owners and hosts. There will also be the opportunity to explore innovative new capabilities such as interoperability and pay-as-you-go options.  

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson 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.

“I’m proud of what ChargePlace Scotland has grown to become. We have invested almost £32 million since 2011 to establish a comprehensive publicly available electric vehicle charging network across Scotland. It’s expanded immensely from 55 charge points in 2013 to now over 1,600 through Scottish Government investment – with the data showing that outside of London, Scotland is way ahead of the rest of the UK in the provision of public charge points.

“We remain focussed on accelerating the provision of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and ensuring that Scotland is at the forefront of markets for zero emission mobility – both through public and increasingly private routes. But key to the uptake of electric vehicles is reliable charging infrastructure that people can count on. I’m confident that SWARCO will meet our vision for the ChargePlace Scotland network over the coming years.”

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. Our charging technology has become the watchword for reliability and performance in a world that demands certainty, and our approach to smart charging through our e.Connect software solution will be at the heart of the ambition to build a truly world-class network.

“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 Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc, set up as a location for companies that are leading the way in sustainable mobility and decarbonisation, is the perfect location for our new offices, and we look forward to providing more employment opportunities for local communities.”

BACKGROUND

ChargePlace Scotland is on a mission to get Scotland driving electric.

ChargePlace Scotland is Scotland’s national Electric Vehicle (EV) charging network. 

Owned and developed by the Scottish Government and funded in partnership through a public grant from Local Authorities and other organisations it aims to install charge points across Scotland from Shetland to the Borders, making owning an Electric Vehicle accessible for all Scottish drivers.

The ChargePlace Scotland network has grown from 55 public charge points in 2013 to over 1,600 in 2021. Over 25,700 already enjoy the benefits of ChargePlace Scotland membership.

All publicly available charge points are displayed on a live map, which provides details about the location, type, status and availability of each unit.

New charge points are installed regularly on the network, with the ongoing support of Transport Scotland. In addition, the network offers members significant money-saving and EV charging benefits.

SWARCO eVolt is committed to supporting the uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles. It provides electric vehicle charging infrastructure and the systems, and services to support them, and has more than 8,000 charging points installed across the UK with an uptime of 99.6%. SWARCO eVolt is part of SWARCO – an international group providing the complete range of products, systems, services and solutions for road safety and intelligent traffic management to support the mobility needs of society and lower-transport-related emissions.