Plans to house Europe’s largest EV charging hub in Edinburgh office development

Edinburgh could become home to Europe’s largest charging hub for electric vehicles (EVs) – if plans for a new development are given the green light.

Developers behind the Edinburgh Green office project are planning to install almost 800 charging points, which would be available for community use, on the site.

An initial 170 points would be installed, with a further 595 enabled for future use at the development, at the Drummond House and Younger Building in Edinburgh Park.

Developers hope to create a “new type of workplace”, with space for more than 7,000 workers and a “genuine focus on wellbeing and sustainability”.

The plans have been drawn up after Shelborn Asset Management bought the site and existing buildings from NatWest in 2021.

Currently, the Energy Superhub Oxford is said to be Europe’s largest charging centre for EVs with around 450 points.

The Edinburgh project aims to create over 80,000 square feet of high quality office space.

The EV points, which will be available to the public on evenings and at weekends, will form part of a wider transport hub with access to car club vehicles, public transport links and cycle parking.

Plans have been submitted to Edinburgh City Council and, if approved, work could begin on the site in summer of 2023, with the project scheduled to open in 2026.

Shelborn director Brian Rabinowitz said the project is “one of the most ambitious office developments to be launched in Edinburgh for decades”.

He said: “Our plans for Europe’s largest electric vehicle charging hub is key to meeting our ambitious 2030 net zero target.

“Sustainability will be at the heart of this development, which promises to be a game-changer by transforming the common perception of what an office workspace should look like.

“It will boast modern office accommodation surrounded by spacious landscaped parkland and a range of on-site facilities such as a multi-use pavilion, café/events space, and comprehensive transport links.

“As Edinburgh’s market continues to grow post-pandemic, public and private sector occupiers are demanding a better-quality workspace which give their employees better places to work.

“Edinburgh Green is seeking to respond directly to this, creating a new kind of workspace that optimises a well-connected brownfield site, complete with all the amenities and functionality demanded by both employer and employee alike.”