ScottishPower — a subsidiary of Basque energy giant Iberdrola — on Monday unveiled what it called “the UK’s first end-to-end package electric vehicle ownership.”
ScottishPower also said it agreed a link-up with car retailer Arnold Clark allowing buyers to purchase or lease an electric vehicle (EV) of their choice, book a home charging point installation and sign up to an exclusive 100% renewable electricity tariff as part of the same package.
This follows ScottishPower’s announcement last month that it has become the first integrated energy company in the UK to shift completely from coal and gas generation to wind power after completing the sale of its traditional generation business to North Yorkshire-based power company Drax for £702 million.
ScottishPower CEO Keith Anderson said: “We have moved on from fossil fuels to concentrate on clean renewables and today we announce the UK’s first end to end electric vehicle package that is 100% green.
“After removing carbon from how we generate electricity we believe the decarbonisation of the UK’s transport system has to be next.
“This means industry and Government working together to build the infrastructure so we can charge electric vehicles as well as building clean and cheap renewables to bring down the cost of motoring.
“The UK needs to decarbonise transport faster and we have to make the switch to electric vehicles simpler.”
Customers will receive the UK’s smallest fast charging point as well as having access to the ScottishPower App to facilitate smart charging.
“This will ultimately allow vehicle charging to be remotely scheduled via a smart phone to start/stop charging at a time that suits day or night, allowing electric vehicle owners to take advantage of cheaper unit rates at off peak times,” said ScottishPower.
“No other utility in the market currently offers users this comprehensive app experience.”
Arnold Clark chief executive Eddie Hawthorne: “The landscape of the automotive market is changing and inevitably the buying behaviour of our customers.
“Arnold Clark will continue to provide great value for money and knowledge on a range of electric vehicles throughout the UK with the additional incentive that our new partners, ScottishPower, will provide a network of recharging points to keep you on the move with confidence.”