Plans for an electric vehicle charging hub near a major roundabout in Renfrewshire have been submitted to the council.

Osprey Charging Network wants permission to develop a section of field next to Barochan Road – just south of the Deafhillock Roundabout.

The company is proposing a hub with 12 ultra-rapid charging points, a solar canopy, associated parking and vehicle access, substation and infrastructure.

Glasgow Times:

“It is our intention to make this development one of our flagship hubs in the UK, which will create a huge buzz and PR focus in the area,” Osprey said in its covering statement.

It continued: “The proposed development will serve as a vital piece if infrastructure for charging the growing fleet of council owned – and publicly owned – electric vehicles.

“While electric vehicles currently only account for 2.9 per cent of the vehicles on UK roads, that number is expected to rise to over 30 per cent by 2030.

“Not all homes and EV drivers will have access to off-street parking and they will be reliant on affordable and accessible public charging infrastructure.

“Osprey Charging Network’s chargers are the most ‘open’ to EV drivers.

“All cars, regardless of charging port, can charge on the network and customers have an option to simply use contactless payment or an app, RFID or a subscription service.

“We cater to all drivers (including those with reduced mobility) and if there are drivers who regularly rely on and use our charge points, our subscription service allows them to sign up to a cheaper tariff as we understand not all customers have access to a private charger at home.”

The charging bays would be grouped together, according to a design and access statement, with a one-way route around the edge.

It is intended that 11 of the bays would be covered by the canopy, offering protection from the elements, with one placed outside to allow high-sided vehicles to use the facility.

The council has not yet made a decision on the application.