A network of 100 electric forecourts are to be built across the UK to offer ultra-fast charging for electric vehicles as part of a £1bn programme.
The first electric forecourt, developed by Gridserve and designed by Arup, is already under construction at Braintree in Essex.
The Braintree forecourt, adjacent to Great Notley just off the A131, can charge 24 electric vehicles at once with superchargers that can deliver up to 350kW of charging power, enabling people to charge vehicles within 20-30 minutes initially, and much faster in the future as battery technologies mature. Its construction has been supported by a £4.9m grant from Innovate UK.
The network of forecourts will be powered by solar energy and battery storage projects, also constructed built by Gridserve.
The development will also feature a two-storey building, which will house a range of facilities including a coffee shop, convenience supermarket, and airport-style lounge with high-speed internet and meeting rooms. The facility will also function as an education centre for electric vehicles and sustainable energy.
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”.
The government has committed to ban the sale of new petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles within 15-years. Meanwhile, Gridserve aims to have a UK-wide network operational within five years. It is currently in discussions with a number of local authorities around the UK and expects to have several more sites in construction and many more into planning by the end of this year.
Toddington Harper, CEO and founder of Gridserve, said: “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% renewable energy, and with the best possible charging experience.”
