GLASGOW is gearing up for a green revolution by providing parking bays for drivers who use electric powered cars and bikes.

GLASGOW is gearing up for a green revolution by providing parking bays for drivers who use electric powered cars and bikes.

St Enoch Centre is the first city mall to offer motorists the chance to park-up and plug-in while they do their shopping.

Shopping malls set to support eco vehicles

ELECTRIC-POWERED cars make up less than half of one percent of the vehicles using Glasgow's streets They are powered by rechargeable batteries and produce no emissions.

Politicians are keen to encourage their use and rival retail malls are gearing up to follow the St Enoch example by providing parking bays for electric-powered cars.

The city council provides more than 5300 spaces at 17 off-street car parks across Glasgow.

None are dedicated to the new generation of environmentally-friendly cars but council chiefs are considering offering free parking to all-electric drivers.

A spokesman said: Electric, hybrid and other low polluting vehicles have an important role to play in reducing harmful road traffic emissions.

The council is keen to encourage their use and the provision of free or reduced rate street parking is one incentive under consideration.

And all-electric charging bays are likely to become a familiar site at other shopping centres where other multi-million pound upgrades are planned.

Glasgow Fort, Buchanan Galleries and Silverburn are all considering installing the bays while Braehead introduced two electric charging bays four months ago.

General manager Peter Beagley said: "If the demand is there, we would look at installing more charging points."

Four electrically charged bays have been created as part of a £2million upgrade of the centre's car park.

And centre bosses vowed to provide more as demand rises for all-electric and hybrid cars.

It's a green revolution which other shopping malls acoss Glasgow are expected to follow.

It is a move which is music to the ears of XFM DJ and anti-plastic bag campaigner Heather Suttie.

The Evening Times columnist said: "I think it is great that the St Enoch Centre is the first retail hub in Glasgow to offer this. The more people who use green technology the better.

"I'll be really happy if we can get more of those bays across the city."

Heather's now giving some serious thought of giving up her petrol-driven car - she already does a lot of walking - for an all-electric motorbike.

"I'm in the process of re-evaluating lots of things which can lead to a more environmental and economical lifestyle," she added.

The refurbishment of the St Enoch car park with its 750 bays is phase one of an £100m makeover by Canadian owner Ivanhoe Cambridge.

The four bays have been painted in a distinctive green and are located on the second floor.

Drivers simply park up before collecting a key and a charging cable from an attendant. The charging service is free although users will have to stump up the normal parking fee. Advanced bookings can be made.

General manager Susan Nicol said: "I'm delighted that our refurbished car park will provide a much-improved environment for our customers.

"We are exploring every opportunity to adopt initiatives which are in line with Ivanhoe Cambridge's commitment to sustainable development."

The upgrade includes better facilities for cyclists with improved lighting and signs along with new ticket machines and the introduction of CCTV cameras.

Centre managers have gone into partnership with energy supplier Gaz de France which is providing electricity from renewable sources and is working with the government-sponsored Carbon Trust to explore other green initiatives.

A new metering system will control and monitor energy levels while solar shading will control heat and minimise air conditioning.

The giant glass pyramid shopping centre which attracts 20m shoppers every year is being completely transformed.

It's being enlarged and will feature 40 new stores as well as trendy coffee bars and eateries with a cinema and a nightclub.

The facelift is due to be completed in the run-up to Christmas next year - 20 years after it opened.