The Be.EV Oasis – a place to recharge your EV and your personal batteries 

Permission has been granted for the creation of an innovative new charging station and community hub in a busy area of Manchester.

The facility will be built by EV charging network operators Be.EV on the site of a former petrol station on the busy corner of Reliance Street and Oldham Road.

The Oasis is a new concept from Be.EV which they ultimately intend to roll out nationally. The oasis has been designed with bio-diversity very much at the centre of the experience. A wildflower garden will form a boundary along one side of the site while other areas will include herbaceous perennials, shrubs and grasses. Mature trees will also be placed around the station.

The design has been put together with a team at Architect That who have responded to the idea that current multiple EV charging stations have ‘no positive impact on their surrounding urban contest and public realm.’ As such they have set themselves the goal of creating a community space to help drivers reconnect with nature.

Integrated into the design is a retail space intended for local businesses which will have access to clean energy from solar panels.

The Oasis will provide ultra-rapid charging for 16 cars and charging will be available for e-bikes too.

The chargers will be powered by renewable energy from Octopus Energy, ensuring the move to a totally green transport system is achieved.

Be.EV CEO Asif Ghafoor said: ‘Our plan for Reliance Street is truly innovative and reflects Be.EV’s ambition to lead the way in reimagining public infrastructure – creating great charging experiences for today and for the future.

‘We worked with the talented team at Architect That to design a site that is not only functional but delivers regeneration in the local area, looks fantastic, and responds to the needs of the local community as it offers so much more than just charging. 

‘These sites will absorb carbon and clean the air whilst providing EV drivers with a calm, green environment to relax in while they’re charging. The site is also designed to maximise the number of charging bays to accelerate equitable access to the future of electric vehicles.’

Executive Member for Environment and Transport for Manchester City Council, Cllr Tracey Rawlins said: ‘This is one element of a wide range of sustainable transport options in Manchester that are making it easier than ever for our residents to move away from conventional cars.

‘This includes significant investment in active travel across the city, alongside new walking and cycling routes in the city centre, and a move towards a fully integrated public transport system. Together they underpin our commitment to increasing the number of people who choose to travel by a sustainable means.’

Image: Be.EV