ScottishPower looks to create 'electric tourist trail' of car charging points

ScottishPower has outlined plans to create an “electric tourist trail” of car charging points by working with attraction operators.

Andrew Mouat (standing), head of smart mobility at Glasgow-based ScottishPower, with Dr Stephen Breslin, CEO at Glasgow Science Centre. Picture: Ian Georgeson

The power provider partnered with the Glasgow Science Centre to install electric vehicle chargers ahead of the COP26 conference in 2021. They have remained available to members of the public when they visit the Glasgow attraction as a lasting legacy of the event. The project is part of the group’s sustainability goal to provide two million electric vehicle (EV) charging points needed to meet the needs of Scotland’s future EV charging network.

ScottishPower said major tourist attractions would play an essential role in supporting these goals by “providing families with convenience during their everyday activities”. It comes as the Glasgow Science Centre reaches a milestone with some 25,000 electric vehicle miles being charged by visitors at the attraction.

Andrew Mouat, head of smart mobility at Glasgow-based ScottishPower, which is a subsidiary of Spanish utility firm Iberdrola, said: “Glasgow Science Centre was an early adopter of electric car chargers and today tourist attractions across the country have this brilliant technology in place. Charging an electric car is becoming part of everyday life for many people and that’s great for the planet. Building a new electric tourist trail of public charge points should make this process even easier. We need to continue expanding our network to cater for the huge number of people switching to more sustainable electric vehicles and are here to support suitable businesses that want to make the switch and join us.”

The firm said it would lease the car park spaces and fully fund, install and maintain the EV charge points for the duration of the lease.

Stephen Breslin, chief executive of Glasgow Science Centre, added: “It’s great that visitors are using our electric vehicle chargers and with over 25,000 vehicle miles charged, it shows the progress we have made in our sustainability goals. We wanted to provide convenient electric vehicle charging while also inspiring our visitors to learn about the technology and science that will help tackle climate change. We’re grateful to ScottishPower for the continued support in our efforts to become an even greener visitor attraction and learning centre.”

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