The tender awarded by the council to the electric vehicle charging solutions provider will deliver a project that requires no upfront capital cost or Government funding.

It is to be carried out using FOR EV’s ‘Charging-as-a-Service’ model, which is tailored to fleet operators specifically.

As part of the project, the council’s Bellshill site will benefit from the installation of six direct current charging bays, supporting the local authority’s commitment to sustainability and its aims of achieving a zero-emission fleet.

The site will also have the capacity to provide access to rapid charging for other registered public sector fleets.

According to FOR EV, the scheme will be the first in Scotland to use private sector capital for fleet charging infrastructure on a service model.

Lindsay Yeoman, Head of Sales at FOR EV, said the ‘Charging-as-a-Service’ model demonstrates that cost-effective methods of fleet electrification are possible.

She added: ‘This project sets a new precedent for how local authorities can embrace electrification, and we believe it will serve as a blueprint for similar initiatives across the UK.’

John McElhinney, Fleet Business Manager at North Lanarkshire Council, said: ‘Across our fleet, we are moving to electric vehicles and installing more charging points to support the transition to electric vehicles.

‘The new facility at our Bellshill depot, delivered by FOR EV, is a significant and innovative development in the council’s strategy to achieve net zero.’

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