Stagecoach and SSE have announced a new pilot community electric charging hub initiative to help drive Scotland on the road to net-zero.

The collaboration hopes to maximise the efficiency of EV infrastructure and encourage the take up of green transport in Scotland.

By convention, buses are normally out on the road during a core period from around 7am to 7pm and are then charged overnight. This means the charging infrastructure is potentially free and available during the day for other electric vehicles to use.

This approach could assist efforts to create a network of rapid charging hubs for fleets which travel across the country, further helping efforts to decarbonise the transport sector.

Speaking about the new initiative, Sam Greer, Stagecoach Regional Director for Scotland, said: “We are delighted to be launching a pilot of the community charging hub concept in partnership with SSE, two companies with strong commitments to delivering on Scotland’s net-zero ambitions.

“Electric charging infrastructure is a significant investment and there is a real opportunity to maximise the benefit of the technology by making facilities available to other fleet users, such as logistics companies.

“As well as helping accelerate decarbonisation, it would complement the wider opportunities beyond technology to cut carbon emissions from the transport sector and reduce local air pollution through a shift away from cars to more sustainable public transport, cycling and walking.”

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Transport produced over a quarter of the UK’s total carbon emissions before the pandemic, with 91% coming from road transport vehicles. The biggest contributors to this were cars and taxis, accounting for 61% of the emissions from road transport, while a total of 35% is from Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) and vans.

“We think this is a game changing idea with the potential to really accelerate Scotland’s journey to net-zero”, said Kevin Welstead, EV Sector Director of SSE Energy Solutions

He added: “COP26 coming to Scotland is a vivid reminder that we need to get more green and clean transport on our roads; and we believe a network of EV community hubs could hold the key to doing just that.

“We’re excited to be partnering with Stagecoach on this pilot who share our vision to get more people using greener transport so we can provide cleaner air for our citizens and combat climate change. In Glasgow we are building the infrastructure for 150 green buses by the end of the year, and we’re keen we leave a lasting and sustainable legacy for Scotland from COP26.”

Stagecoach has partnered with SSE to deliver the charging infrastructure for its new e-buses being introduced later this year at its depots in Aberdeen and Perth. The location for the new community charging hub pilot will be announced later this year.

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