The EV charging hub will be powered by an overhead canopy with solar panels that also acts as a rainwater catch system. Offering 18 charging stations for public use, and the rest to charge Dundee’s fleet of 190 EVs, more than any UK local authority. 

After the opening of this new hub in April, Dundee will have created over 373 charging points since it was first introduced in 2011. 

The new system is fitted with a state-of-the-art filtration mechanism to provide users with clean drinking water while they charge their EVs. 

Designed by Swedish water purification company Bluewater, the filtration system can store up to 5,000 liters of chilled drinking water. The water will be available for free directly from the hub, and the city plans to eventually have a catch system at every EV charging hub after their goal of building one every 500m is met. 

This will eventually provide clean water for all of the city’s residents and visitors for free, alleviating pressure on the current groundwater resources and restoring ecological balance to the environment. 

The hub was designed in collaboration with Swarco technology group to ensure it was both innovative and sustainable. It marks the fourth of its kind in the city, and is another step in becoming the greenest city in Europe according to EV interest group Dundee Electric.

“What we noticed from the really early days is: Dundee is a council that is fully committed to reducing carbon emissions through all modes of transport,” said Justin Meyer, managing director at Swarco in an interview with The Courier. “(Dundee is) ahead of most local authorities across the UK,” he said. 

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The hub also uses old EV batteries as energy storage units, offering up to 360Wh per battery. This recycles batteries that were at the end of their life in EVs to lessen the carbon footprint these charging hubs make. 

The focus on building EV charging hubs comes on the wider backdrop of a nationwide shift towards electric cars. As of the end of February 2023, more than 690,000 battery electric cars registered in the UK. This number is expected to jump to 37.4 million by 2050 according to a report. Highlighting the need for charging points in cities across the UK.