The Arnold Clark Innovation Centre in Glasgow has already drawn a positive response from fleets and drivers, just three months after launching.

There are more than 60 vehicles on site, including mild hybrids, plug-in hybrids and fully electric cars

Opened in the run-up to COP26, the centre is located on Dumbarton Road in the city and is the only dedicated electric car education centre in Scotland, designed to lead visitors towards the future of driving.

It’s purposely designed not to be a sales-driven environment and there are cars onsite from manufacturers outside of the dealership chain’s portfolio, including Tesla and Jaguar.

Instead, the focus is on education and the centre aims to explain the benefits of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) while highlighting the ever-expanding line-up currently available from a range of manufacturers. There are more than 60 vehicles on site, including mild hybrids, plug-in hybrids and fully electric cars.

The facility also has two managers and five dedicated ‘innovation geniuses’, all specialists in alternative fuel vehicles and there to educate customers on the journey towards buying an electric car.

Fleets are a focus too and the centre includes business specialists who can outline the best solutions for fleet operators of all sizes.

The centre also serves as a training academy, with regular sessions to help educate Arnold Clark sales employees on the latest EV innovations, while regular Learn & Drive events have been held at the centre to introduce members of the public who want to start their AFV journey.

A series of talks are also being scheduled from EV experts, including an introduction to charging.

Innovation Centre manager Debbie Hubner said: “After our official launch at the end of August, we’ve been delighted with the response from the public.

“We aim to educate visitors about the benefits of alternative fuel vehicles and why they are becoming so important. With the COP26 conference in Glasgow, the topic of electric vehicles is certainly at the forefront of a lot of people’s minds.

“We’re delighted to welcome visitors to the centre to learn more about alternative fuel vehicles or answer any other questions they might have.

“We also have over 60 EVs on display, so visitors can see the different range of cars available or even take one for a test drive.”