UK’s first EV ‘electric forecourt’ to open later this year

Gridserve has begun construction on the UK’s first EV ‘electric forecourt’, which is claimed to be the most advanced charging facility in the UK and is able to charge 24 EVs at once.

Located near Braintree in Essex, the forecourt’s charge points can deliver up to 350kW of charging power, enabling people to charge vehicles for 20-30 minutes initially, and much faster in the future as battery technologies mature.

The forecourt will be powered by solar energy and battery storage projects.

Similar to motorway service stations, there will be facilities including a coffee shop and supermarket on the site, and there will be an EV ‘education centre’, which will offer insight and information about the technology.

As part of its £1bn programme, Gridserve is developing more than 100 electric forecourt sites on busy routes and near powerful grid connections close to towns, cities and major transport hubs.

James Cleverly, MP for Braintree, said: ‘Our government is committed to increasing the take-up of electric vehicles, to clean our air and enable us to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

‘Gridserve’s electric forecourt, close to Braintree, is pioneering the world-class charging infrastructure that we need to support our policies and will inspire people in towns and cities throughout the country to have the confidence to make the move to sustainable transport”.

Toddington Harper, CEO and founder of GRIDSERVE, added: ‘We’ve designed our electric forecourts entirely around the needs of electric vehicle drivers, updating the petrol station model for a net-zero carbon future.

‘Many more people want to buy electric vehicles but are worried about how to charge them. We will help solve that challenge and deliver the confidence needed to make the switch to electric transport.

‘This will be the most advanced charging facility in the UK, and possibly the world. Drivers will be able to turn up and charge their vehicle at the fastest rate each vehicle can support, using 100% renenewable energy, and with the best possible charging experience.’