Network Rail Scotland boosts EV fleet with two new charging hubs
Network Rail Scotland has taken a major step towards electrifying its vehicle fleet with the installation of new chagrin hubs at two key depots.
The new hubs have been developed by infrastructure provider For EV and provide a mixture of AC and DC charging for up to 56 vehicles at a time across the sites in Irvine and Cowlairs, Glasgow.
As well as a mix of charging speeds, the hubs feature load-balancing technology to meet the specific requirements of Network Rail Scotland’s highly specialised fleet, and use fully renewable energy.
The companies behind the project explained that it had been tailored to Network Rail Scotland’s current and future vehicle requirements as part of National Road Fleet Transformation Programme, which will see its fleet cars and vans transition to zero emission vehicles.
Wendi Wheeler, principal environment and social value manager at Network Rail Scotland said: “Providing the infrastructure in our operational depots to enable our road fleet’s transition to zero emission, is a challenge.
“We decided to look at things differently in Scotland, drawing in expertise and funding from outside of Network Rail to deliver charging infrastructure quicker and cheaper than it would otherwise have been. FOR EV and Energy Assets have demonstrated excellence throughout and provided expert guidance on the technology as we make the changes necessary to decarbonise our road fleet.”
Lindsay Wallace, For EV’s executive director of sales and innovations Europe, added: “Network Rail Scotland has been a great organisation to work with and we are delighted to be part of their journey to Net Zero. We have demonstrated that we can meet the expectations of large and complex organisations who operate nationally important infrastructure, working to the highest standards of quality and assurance.”
As well as the bespoke charging hubs at its depots, Network Rail Scotland’s fleet drivers can access FOR EV’s growing public network of charge points.
