Energy supplier Centrica has partnered with car park operator NCP to create a ‘charge park’ for professional EV drivers.
Together they will trial new approaches to EV charging for commercial fleets and taxis in public spaces.
The project will combine leisure services such as cafes and gyms alongside technology to make charging less onerous.
Andreas Atkins, head of electric vehicle strategy for Centrica Innovations, said: “One of the big barriers we need to overcome in terms of adoption is how professional drivers can make time in their day to charge.
“While there has been a great deal of research in to how to make charging faster, little has been done to enhance convenience, so that charging can fit comfortably into our busy lives.”
NCP, which manages over 500 sites and has over 150,000 parking spaces, added that it is investing to grow the number of sites offering EV charging.
According to Jonathan Scott, CEO at NCP, “we want to do so in a way that’s fit for purpose for all of our customers”.
The first pilot ‘charge park’ is expected later this year.
