Car dealer network Arnold Clark has opened its new EV charging network of ultra-rapid hubs to the public, differentiating itself by selling electricity for around a third less than most rival chargepoint firms.
Drivers using Arnold Clark Charge will pay just 55 pence per kiloWatt hour, compared to rivals who typically charge between 75 to 85 pence per kWh.
The Glasgow-based firm is one of Europe’s largest car dealerships with over 200 showrooms. It has invested £30m into the Clark Charge network, which comprises over 50 locations mainly focussed around southern Scotland and North West England – though several more sites are in the construction process and due to open before the end of the year.
The Clark Charge network is open to the public, but operates on a slightly different basis to many firms, with a mix of open-access chargers and ones that can be booked via the Arnold Clark app.
Drivers using the free app to book a chargepoint session pay just 55p per kWh of electricity, while customers who simply turn up to charge are being offered the same price as an introductory offer. Electricity is delivered at speeds of up to 150kW, which has become the industry standard for public points.
The majority of locations on the Clark Charge network feature between two and four EV charging bays, though some hubs offer up to eight spaces. The firm says “most” locations are accessible 24/7.
Arnold Clark’s chief executive, Russell Borrie, says his firm’s new network is “designed to provide the public with convenient, reliable, and cost-effective charging solutions while they’re on the move”.
