North and north-east businesses feature among 18 Scottish operations which have secured a place on an £80m national electric vehicle (EV) charging point framework with some of the companies moving into the field for the first time.
Scotland Excel’s first EV charging infrastructure framework is now live to support the phasing out of new petrol and diesel cars from the public sector fleet.
Inverurie-based GPH among successful supplier bids
Among the successful tenders which will help Scottish Councils move to ultra-low emission vehicles was GPH Builders Merchants based in Inverurie, whose push into the sector marks a new opportunity in securing a slice of the EV infrastructure pie.
“Scotland Excel issued a tender earlier this year for the supply and installation of electric charging points for the public sector,” said GPH managing director Grant Shewan.
“We were successful in securing a place for the supply.
“It’s not something we are really known for but the two main things in our business are that we are very aware of the move to more sustainable methods for construction and transport.
“We want to play a part in that and we’ve a firm desire to do more business in the public sector.
“This was a good opportunity working alongside an EV charging manufacturer. Hopefully we’ll win some business and operate as their distributor in Scotland.”
The framework will enable Councils and other public bodies to source the supply, installation and maintenance of EV charging points from companies who have been through the tender process.
RSE awarded a position in four lots
A total of 33 suppliers – all UK based – have joined the first-generation framework.
Among them is also Ross-shire Engineering (RSE), which says it is the only large company to be awarded a position in the four lots including Supply, Installation, Maintenance and all three scopes combined across the six regions which include all 32 local authorities.
During the next two years (with the potential for a further two twelve-month periods) the delivery of the framework by RSE will be carried out by its Renewable Energy Team based in Muir of Ord and Cumbernauld, with existing nationwide in-house EV charge point delivery teams.
“We are delighted to be able to provide these services to Scotland Excel, expanding the EV charge point infrastructure across Scotland, supporting the country’s green recovery and helping the country towards meeting net-zero target of 2045 at the latest set by the Scottish Government,” added RSE framework manager Glenn Colley.
“Sustainability at its core”
For her part, Scotland Excel chief executive Julie Welsh added: “I welcome the launch of this new contract that will give Councils and other public organisations the support they need to efficiently source the range of products and services needed for the supply, installation and maintenance of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
“With sustainability at its core this framework will underpin the Scottish Government’s drive for net-zero by 2045. It will support Councils in their efforts to reduce emissions from fleets by phasing out new petrol and diesel cars in the coming years.
“It will also bring significant opportunities for the businesses that have secured a place on the framework, which includes 18 Scottish suppliers – 12 of which are Scottish SMEs.”
All Scottish Councils fund Scotland Excel
In terms of social benefits, 28 of the 33 suppliers pay the Real Living Wage.
Scotland Excel is the national centre of procurement expertise for the local government sector funded by all 32 Scottish councils.
The Scotland Excel electric vehicle charging infrastructure framework is expected to be worth £20m a year.
It will run for an initial two-year term with the opportunity for two 12-month extension periods.
