The UK’s first electric car forecourt opens for business – Positive News

The UK’s first all-electric concourse opened this week near Braintree, Essex, representing a breakthrough for the massive expansion of the UK’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Gridserve, the clean energy company behind the project, said it plans to open more than 100 of the charging stations across the UK over the next five years on a £ 1bn program.

Its chargers use net carbon-free energy using solar energy from one of the UK’s first unsubsidized solar farms in Clayhill, Bedfordshire. The esplanade also has a battery that is capable of storing enough energy to drive 24,000 miles and solar canopies on the roof.

Toddington Harper, Gridserve founder and CEO, said the esplanade is an important milestone in the company’s goal to “move the needle on climate change.”

The British public must be confident that the UK will have the charging infrastructure necessary for the mass adoption of electric vehicles long before the 2030 ban on gasoline and diesel carsHarper said.

“It is our collective responsibility to prevent greenhouse gas emissions from increasing further, and electric vehicles powered by clean energy represent a large part of the solution,” he said.

“However, charging has to be simple and anxiety-free, which is why we have designed our electric yards completely around the needs of drivers, updating the traditional gas station model for a world of net zero carbon and providing the confidence that people need to make the switch to electric transportation today. “

The development has been welcomed by the government, which last month advanced a ban on the sale of new gasoline and diesel cars and vans from 2040 to 2030 as part of a “green industrial revolution.”

James Cleverly, minister of state and deputy for Braintree, said: “Our government is committed to increasing the use of electric vehicles, to clean our air and enable us to achieve net zero carbon emissions as quickly as possible, which is why we just advanced the ban on new gasoline or diesel until 2030 “.

He said the esplanade is “the most advanced cargo facility in the world.”

The Braintree Electric Forecourt, near Great Notley, just off the A131, allows 36 electric vehicles to be charged simultaneously, with high-powered chargers that can deliver up to 350 kW of charging power, allowing people to add 200 miles of reach in 20 minutes.

Drivers will initially pay just 24p per kWh of energy, which is currently the lowest ultra-high energy charge rate on the market today, meaning a typical 20% to 80% charge costs less than £ 10 for a vehicle. average size electric. on the market today.

While the vehicles are charging, drivers can make use of the “state-of-the-art” facilities, including a waiting room, free super-fast Wi-Fi, “high-end” bathrooms, a children’s area, a wellness area with exercise bikes that generate electricity, and business meeting rooms. There is also a commercial space, including branches of WHSmith Travel and Costa Coffee, and a post office.

Gridserve also wants to urge drivers to switch to electric vehicles, so the esplanade is also designed to make the process as simple and straightforward as possible, the company said. The top floor of the esplanade building showcases the latest electric vehicles, while digital displays help people learn about and obtain electric vehicles.

With more than 200 types of electric vehicles available, the company is also hiring electric vehicle enthusiasts to help educate people about electric vehicles and organize test drives.

A statement from the company read: “The ultimate goal [is to] give people the confidence and support to make the transition to an all-electric future. “

Images: Gridserve