Construction work on the UK’s first electric vehicle forecourt is nearly complete, with the facility due to open this November at a site near Braintree, Essex.
Being developed by sustainable energy company Gridserve, the Electric Forecourt will allow 30 EVs to charge simultaneously using charging units that can add up to 200 miles of range in 20 minutes.
Specifically, 24 of the chargers – half of which can deliver up to 350kW of power – are being provided by technology company ABB, with Tesla supplying six of its superchargers.
The site will be powered by a combination zero carbon solar energy and battery storage projects, including the UK’s first subsidy-free solar farm – the Clayhill Solar Farm in Bedfordshire.
Gridserve’s Electric Forecourt will also offer a range of retail outlets over a two-storey facility, following the establishment of recently announced partnerships with the likes of Costa Coffee, Post Office and WH Smith, as well as the AA for customer support.
Toddington Harper, founder and CEO of Grideserve, said: “The UK’s first Electric Forecourt, represents so much more than an electric equivalent of a modern petrol station – it will deliver a fully loaded customer experience, offering the best of British retail and customer service to cater for a full range of consumer and driver needs.”
The site will not only feature a waiting area, washrooms, dedicated kids’ space and business meeting pods, but will also include an education centre showcasing the benefits of EVs.
The Braintree site is part of a wider programme that will see £1bn invested in over 100 electric vehicle forecourts built by Grideserve on busy routes and near grid connections close to town, cities and major transport hubs in the next five years.
According to Gridserve, planning applications for two additional sites in Uckfield and Norwich East have now been submitted.
Katie Searles
Katie joined Akabo Media in September 2020 having previously worked in B2B exhibitions covering the cosmetic, personal care, pharmaceuticals and general chemical industries. Katie has also worked as a broadcast journalist for radio stations covering the east coast of Scotland. Currently a reporter for City Transport & Traffic Innovation and Robotics & Innovation magazines, Katie brings together the latest news, features and case studies creating both printed and digital content.
