UK's first electric forecourt opens in Essex
The first forecourt dedicated to electric vehicles has opened in Essex
The site near Braintree is the first of over 100 Electric Forecourts planned by GRIDSERVE over the next five years.
It follows the recent announcement that you won't be able to buy new petrol or diesel vehicles in the UK from 2030.
GRIDSERVE say their £1 billion programme aims to make electric vehicle driving an enjoyable, ultra-convenient and stress-free experience.
The site off the A131 allows for 36 vehicles to charge simultaneously, with high power chargers enabling people to add 200 miles of range in 20 minutes.
Electricity for the chargers comes from solar panels on the roof of the forecourt and a network of hybrid solar farms operated by GRIDSERVE.
A battery on site also allows for energy to be stored for use when solar panels are less effective.
Drivers will have to pay 24p per kWh of energy - that adds up to about £10 for an average-size electric vehicle to charge from 20% to 80%.
While vehicles are charging, drivers can relax and shop at the site with partners including WHSmith Travel, Costa, Booths, Post Office and Gourmade.
There's also a waiting lounge, superfast Wifi, washrooms, kid's area, a wellbeing area with exercise bikes that generate electricity, and meeting room pods.
Toddington Harper, who's the Founder and CEO of GRIDSERVE, said: "Today’s announcement represents a major milestone in achieving GRIDSERVE’s purpose to deliver sustainable energy and move the needle on climate change.
"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 Forecourts® entirely around the needs of drivers, updating the traditional petrol station model for a net-zero carbon world and delivering the confidence people need to make the switch to electric transport today – a full decade ahead of the 2030 ban on petrol and diesel cars
“Together with our charging-included electric vehicle leasing business, that we are also launching today in partnership with Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC, people now have the full confidence to make the transition to an electric vehicle, knowing that charging is in-hand, and it’s actually less expensive to use an electric car than a petrol or diesel alternative.”
James Cleverly, Minister of State, former Conservative Party Chairman and 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 as quickly as possible, which is why we have just brought forward the ban on new petrol or diesel to 2030.
"GRIDSERVE’s Electric Forecourt®, close to Braintree, 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.”