Evolt has installed a new series of Rapid and Fast electric vehicle (EV) charge points on the Western Scotland mainland and the Isle of Mull.

The new network of seven Rapid and two Fast chargers is the Council’s first publically available EV charging infrastructure, funded by Transport Scotland through a Government-led initiative that helps to promote the use of EVs in Scotland. 

The charge point supplier has now provided more than 1,100 charge points for 24 local authorities as well as private businesses, including taxi companies. 

Argyll and Bute Council’s policy lead for roads and amenity services, Councillor Ellen Morton, said: “At tender stage we found Evolt’s submission to provide a more cost-effective solution.

“Evolt gave us the confidence that it would be fully in control and understood the challenges of supplying and installing an EV charge point infrastructure to a highly remote region, which included two charge points on the Isle of Mull.”

Justin Meyer, general manager of Evolt, said its experience in installing systems at remote locations was key to its success in winning the contract: “The Council recognised our previous work on remote islands such as Harris, South Uist and Shetland, as well as our ability to manage and service systems in a cost-efficient and timely manner.”  

Seven of Evolt’s Rapid chargers, that can efficiently charge two EVs to 80% of their battery life within 30 minutes through a 50Kw AC and 43Kw DC outlet, have been installed throughout the region. These are supplemented by two 22kW Fast chargers that are ideal for quick ‘top ups’, taking one hour to simultaneously charge two EVs. 

Each unit has a built in 3G communications modem enabling Evolt’s back office management system to remotely monitor the charging process and collect and provide charging data when needed.