A new one-card charging platform that allows EV drivers to connect to Scotland’s charging network is being piloted, with major potential benefits for fleets and drivers.  

Swarco has partnered with Paua to trial network roaming across ChargePlace Scotland

The new roaming solution for EV business drivers – reported by Norrie Hunter from the Electric Vehicle Association Scotland – will see all 2,200+ charge points (some 4,000 connectors) in the ChargePlace Scotland (CPS) network linked with the roaming network run by EV fleet fuel card provider Paua.   

This will enable business drivers to access multiple Scottish charging networks via a single solution that can take them from Lerwick to Berwick, while increasing the total live connectors available to Paua business drivers to greater than 15,000.   

An important development for fleet drivers, the Paua EV charge card solution simplifies charging for business drivers, providing access across multiple charging systems using a simple RFID card backed up by a mobile app. Fleets meanwhile get a single bill that enables them to easily and accurately account for costs and recover the 20% VAT on public charging.  

The pilot is also seen as a boost to CPS charge point owners as the partnership has the potential to drive increased utilisation across the network.  

ChargePlace Scotland, operated by Swarco on behalf of Scottish Ministers, is aiming to improve consumer experience across its network of over 2,000 public charge points by offering drivers the ability to roam seamlessly across other networks. Such roaming capabilities are a key part of the Scottish and UK governments’ respective visions for the future of public EV charging.  

The announcement was welcomed by EVA Scotland director Neil MacLennan who said: “Making the EV charging billing process for drivers simple to understand and easy to operate is essential for both the day-to-day user experience and a practical perspective when it comes to cross system connectivity and billing. These are the key factors in persuading both the ordinary EV motorist and the fleet operators who are eager to make the transition to all electric transportation to do so.  

“EVA Scotland has advocated for, and advised government and charge point operators, of the need for a roaming service that brings together a unified system, reducing the number of cards, apps and tariffs EV drivers currently have to juggle.  

“Having one-card solutions that allow charging across multiple networks is a real driver benefit. We are encouraged by this partnership and believe it represents a genuine opportunity to improve the EV driver’s charging experience in Scotland.” 

Swarco managing director Justin Meyer added: “As the operator of the ChargePlace Scotland network, we are continually seeking ways to improve how we support EV drivers. The partnership with Paua paves the way for easier driving for business fleets. We are delighted to support such a pioneering company.”  

Niall Riddell, CEO and co-founder of Paua, finished: “My low-carbon career began in Thurso having grown up in Glen Lyon. It was always important for me to ensure that electric vehicle drivers could traverse the length of the Great British Isles. Paua now integrates some of the largest roaming partners including entire country-wide networks.”