A new EV charging hub has opened in Dundee today (Friday 13th July), with six rapid charge points and four fast chargers located on Princes Street. The hub also features a solar canopy and energy storage system.
Previously a vacant filling station, the site has been redeveloped into one of the most advanced EV charging locations in the UK, and is part of £1.86 million Dundee’s Go Ultra Low Cities scheme.
Dundee’s Princes Street hub follows on from the Aimer Square hub opened earlier this year. That site has proven extremely popular already, with a very high usage rate.
Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing Joe FitzPatrick MSP, officially opened the charging hub, saying: “The Princes Street hub is another fantastic addition to Dundee and to the Chargeplace Scotland network, which is one of the most comprehensive electric vehicle charging networks in Europe.
“I’m continually impressed with leadership that Dundee City Council has demonstrated in promoting electric vehicles, both in terms of their own fleet, and also in developing innovative infrastructure solutions that the local community, businesses and visitors can enjoy.
“There are many benefits that electric vehicles can bring. Of particular importance is the positive impact that ultra-low and zero emission cars can have on the quality of the air that we breathe and the positive contribution this can have on public health.
“Since 2014, the Scottish Government has awarded £700,000 grant funding to install publicly accessible charging infrastructure across the city. This is another positive step which supports this government’s ambition to phase out the need for new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2032.”
The six eVolt rapid chargers installed are triple-connector units, capable of up to 50 kW DC charging and 43 kW AC. Princes Street’s fast chargers provide up to 22 kW of power.
Members of the public and fleet drivers will be able to use the charge points, which will draw at least some of their power from the 90 kWh energy storage system on site. This uses second-life batteries from Renault, and manages load at peak times, while also able to make best use of solar-generated electricity.
There are eight other EV charging locations that have been funded by the Go Ultra Low grant, including the St Anne Lane Car Park, and Queen Street Car Park.
