North Lanarkshire Council is accelerating its green fleet transition under a new partnership with charging solutions firm FOR EV.

The new initiative, located at the council’s Old Edinburgh Road site in Bellshill, delivers Scotland’s first council fleet electrification project with zero upfront capital cost and no government funding.

The tender is being delivered through FOR EV’s ‘charging-as-a-service’ model designed specifically for fleet operators.

North Lanarkshire Council’s Bellshill site will feature six DC charging bays, providing essential infrastructure to support North Lanarkshire Council’s ambitious journey towards a zero-emission fleet.

The site can also give other registered public sector fleets access to rapid charging at a key location in proximity to Scotland’s major motorway network.

The project is expected to provide a blueprint for other local authorities and public bodies where large upfront capital cost is a barrier to progress in fleet electrification.

Lindsay Yeoman, head of sales at FOR EV, said: “Our charging-as-a-service model is proving that the transition to electric fleets can be achieved efficiently and cost-effectively, without relying on public funds. This project sets a new precedent for how local authorities can embrace electrification, and we believe it will serve as a blueprint for similar initiatives across the UK.”

John McElhinney, fleet business manager at North Lanarkshire Council, said: “Across our fleet, we are moving to electric vehicles and installing more charging points to support the transition to electric vehicles. The new facility at our Bellshill depot, delivered by FOR EV, is a significant and innovative development in the council’s strategy to achieve net zero.”