Cairn Lodge Services on the M74 in Lanarkshire has launched what it says are the UK motorway network’s first electric vehicle (EV) charging points powered by hydrogen.
Site operator Westmorland partnered with renewable energy supplier GeoPura to connect one of its self-contained Hydrogen Power Units (HPU), fuelled by green hydrogen, to Westmorland EV chargers, provided by SWARCO Smart Charging. The GeoPura HPU supplements the site’s current electrical grid supply, which isn’t yet able to support ultra-rapid charging.
Six ultra-rapid EV chargers will be powered by green hydrogen until a suitable grid connection is established. By utilising HPUs, Cairn Lodge is overcoming grid capacity restraints and avoiding delays to the opening of its EV charging facilities. It will now be able to meet the demands of the holiday season and the expected surge in EV charging requests over Christmas.
Westmorland boss Nabil Subuh commented: “As EV adoption soars, the pressure on the electrical grid has become increasingly evident, leaving businesses like Westmorland to look for creative, sustainable alternatives until there is sufficient grid capacity. We want to be at the forefront of this sustainable and eco-friendly EV charging revolution, providing convenient, green charging to our customers.”
