Burness Paull is pleased to have advised longstanding client FOR EV on a landmark project that saw the electric vehicle infrastructure provider install two major charging hubs at Network Rail Scotland’s operational depots in Irvine and Cowlairs, near Glasgow.
The hubs have been tailored to Network Rail Scotland’s current and future vehicle requirements and feature a combination of AC and DC charging technology designed specifically for the complex operational needs of the organisation.
With the capacity to charge 56 vehicles simultaneously, the hubs form part of Network Rail’s National Road Fleet Transformation Programme (NRFTP) that will see the rail network operator’s fleet cars and vans transition to zero emission vehicles.
FOR EV, which is backed by the Scottish National Investment Bank, has been contracted by Network Rail Scotland to not only install but also operate and maintain state-of-the-art charging systems for years to come. FOR EV’s unique fleet proposition offers bespoke solutions for fleets of all sizes to transition to a net zero future with ease.
Burness Paull has been the lead legal adviser to FOR EV since the company was founded in 2017, and support for this deal was provided by a multidisciplinary team from the firm to ensure the success of the project – drawing on experts in corporate finance, energy, banking, and technology and commercial contracts.
Murray Cree, partner in Burness Paull’s technology and commercial team, said: “This agreement is a major milestone for our client FOR EV, and we are delighted to have supported the delivery of a project with such considerable business and environmental benefits.
“The team at FOR EV are not only building a great business; they are also contributing heavily to a more sustainable future. Transport is the largest source of carbon emissions in the UK, and FOR EV is playing a crucial role in the transition to net zero through the provision of the infrastructure required to power zero emission vehicles.
“We look forward to continuing to advise FOR EV as they make electric vehicles easy and rewarding for businesses and drivers through their bespoke solutions and innovative funding models.”
Alan Cassels, partner in the banking team at Burness Paull, added: “This was a significant deal with lots of moving parts that was hugely interesting to work on. By drawing on specialist knowledge from across the firm, we have been able to deliver an excellent outcome for our client. We are grateful that FOR EV continue to place their trust in us.”
Lindsay Wallace, executive director sales and innovation Europe at FOR EV, commented: “Our overarching purpose is to accelerate the country’s move to more sustainable means of travel, and that includes supporting organisations to transition their fleets to EV.
This project with Network Rail Scotland is the biggest we’ve delivered to date, further demonstrating that we can meet the expectations of large and complex organisations who operate nationally important infrastructure, working to the highest standards of compliance.
“The support of Burness Paull, who have backed us since the beginning, has been instrumental in the successful delivery of this project. The Burness Paull team are not just legal experts, they’re personable and down-to-earth people who are excellent to deal with – making them the ideal partners for us as we continue to undergo rapid growth.”
