A Scottish renewables developer has launched a division to provide “much-needed” new capacity in the electric vehicle charging market.
Muirhall Energy has launched Greenwheel Electric, which is headed by managing director Jason McCall and has “ambitious plans” for a UK-wide roll-out of integrated charging hubs with 100%-renewable power.
Greenwheel Electric already has 30 sites under “active consideration”.
Muirhall Energy declared Mr McCall is a renewables sector specialist with more than 16 years of industry experience in large-scale infrastructure, development and investment.
Mr McCall said the first of the sites would start coming through for planning approval in the spring.
Muirhall Energy is promising Greenwheel Electric will offer “prime-located stations, designed for EVs in urban and rural locations”.
It added: “The focus will be on customer experience, with integrated sites which will provide best-in-class visitor experience offering high-quality local produce and refreshments.”
Greenwheel Electric has pledged to “partner with artisan local businesses to provide retail and catering options commensurate with the high standards demanded by discerning drivers”.
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Mr McCall said: “This is a unique proposition in the fast-growing EV charging market. Our heritage in renewables development and pipeline of wind and solar projects is the perfect platform for the Greenwheel concept - taking that power generation and providing direct connection to much needed EV charging points across the country.
“We want to help EV users take charge of their charging experience through a direct connection to 100% renewable generated power, allowing us to provide unparalleled value. Our initial assumptions suggest that we can bring the cost of recharging down substantially, in addition to providing the infrastructure necessary to ensure that every charge will always be ultra-fast.”
He added: “We already have 30 sites in active consideration, and the first of those will start to come forward for planning approval in spring 2025.”
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Muirhall Energy observed there are already more than 1.3 million electric vehicles on roads across the UK, “with growth expected to accelerate as the deadline for the end of sales of petrol and diesel cars approaches in 2035”.
It added: “The network of charging points has been growing at a compound rate of 30%, and is expected to grow to 150,000 sites by 2030, a significant increase over the 36,000 open today.”
Muirhall Energy founder and chairman Chris Walker said: “Our successes at Muirhall over the last 20 years are allowing us to deliver renewables at scale, and, in establishing Greenwheel Electric, we are making a major statement that the power of 100% clean, green, renewable power generation can help make a real difference to our everyday lives.
“I’m proud of the team we have assembled for launch, and excited at the future potential.”
Mr McCall said: “This is a fast-growing market, and the experienced team we have assembled is well placed to rapidly exploit the opportunity, whilst helping contribute to our nation’s journey towards net zero.
“Providing EV-charging infrastructure that people will choose to use because of the focus on driver and visitor experience will break down barriers, deliver reduced costs for charging, and help tackle transport-related carbon emissions.”
Sarah McIntosh, managing director of Muirhall Energy, said: “Greenwheel Electric gives us another route to delivering benefit – best-in-class facilities, and the channel to provide clean, green power to EV users direct from renewables - the lowest-cost form of electricity generation.”
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