Gridserve has opened the UK’s first electric forecourt in hopes of supporting mass market electric vehicle (EV) charging.
Located near Braintree, Essex, the forecourt constitutes one of 100 Electric Forecourts to be built across 5 years, powered by net carbon zero energy.
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The project – funded by Hitachi Capital UK, Innovate UK and OZEV – hopes to make EVs a more convenient, accessible option for consumers.
Toddington Harper, chief executive of Gridserve, called the launch a major milestone in the UK’s green transition. Emphasising the convenience of the forecourts, Harper said: “It’s our collective responsibility to prevent greenhouse gas emissions rising further, and electric vehicles powered by clean energy represent a large part of the solution. However, charging has to be simple and free of anxiety, which is why we’ve designed our Electric Forecourt entirely around the needs of drivers”
The move, which will ensure adequate access to charging infrastructure, coincides with the UK government’s latest announcement to bring forward the ban on the sale of ICE vehicles to 2030.
The forecourts will transform the traditional petrol station model into a carbon neutral facility, enabling individuals to “make the switch to electric transport today – a full decade ahead of the 2030 ban on petrol and diesel cars”, Harper finished.
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The Braintree Electric Forecourt will accommodate up to 36 EVs to be charged simultaneously, delivering up to 350kW of power. On the road, this represents 200 miles of range within a 20-minute period.
James Cleverly, former Conservative Party chairman and MP for Braintree, said: “Gridserve’s electric forecourt is the most advanced charging facility in the world and is pioneering the world-class infrastructure required to support our policies and drive the confidence we need to make the move to sustainable transport in the UK.”
Transport minister, Rachel Maclean, echoed the positive sentiment: “As we accelerate towards cleaner and greener transport, I’m delighted to see the future of service stations being brought to life with the opening of the UK’s first all-electric forecourt.
“Government funding has helped make this dream a reality and with £2.8bn of support to encourage the uptake of zero emission vehicles, there has never been a better time to make the switch.”
Drivers can expect to pay 24p per kWh of energy (including VAT), which represents the lowest ultra-high-power charging rates on the market today. Ensuring greater flexibility, Gridserve also plan to introduce a tiered pricing structure in the future.
Electricity used by the Forecourt will be generated from both the solar power canopies above the chargers, and a network of hybrid solar farm, also operated by Gridserve.
