A NUMBER of Scottish businesses have joined a new £80 million charging point contract.

A national electric charging point contract will now secure the place of 18 Scottish businesses – helping the country’s councils work towards having ultra-low emission vehicle fleets.

Scotland Excel’s first-ever electric vehicle charging has now gone live to support the phasing out of diesel and petrol vehicles – which will contribute to the aims for zero emissions by 2045.

As the national centre of procurement expertise for the local government sector, Scotland Excel is a leading shared service funded by all 32 Scottish councils.

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The framework will now enable councils and other public bodies to source the supply, installation, and maintenance of the charging points from companies that are ready to do business.

There is a total of 33 all over the UK who now have the opportunity to secure a share of the business, which is expected to be worth £80m over the next four years.

Julie Welsh, Chief Executive of Scotland Excel, said: “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 council 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.”

The 18 Scottish framework suppliers are as follows:

The National: