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Britain’s first electric forecourt charged and ready
The Braintree site was built with a taxpayer grant of almost £5m
By
Oliver Gill
30 November 2020 • 7:11pm
Gridserve
Britain’s first electric forecourt will open next Monday as part of the £1bn rollout of a nationwide network.
The site in Braintree, Essex, is the first of 100 electric charging stations that will be opened over the next five years.
The landmark opening was delayed from November as a result of the second Covid-19 lockdown.
The station boasts 24 charging points that recharge electric cars within half an hour. A further six "superchargers" have been dedicated for Tesla owners.
There is a Costa Coffee, WHSmith and Post Office also on the site, run by startup Gridserve.
Earlier this month Boris Johnson confirmed that a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars would be brought forward to 2030.
The Gridserve forecourt is powered by solar energy and battery storage projects to minimise carbon emissions in generating the electricity.
Toddington Harper, Gridserve chief executive, said the forecourt based on a 2.5 acre site, "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 100pc renewable energy, and with the best possible charging experience," he added.
The forecourt was funded by a taxpayer grant of almost £5m. Plans revealed in August came with the backing of former Conservative Party chairman James Cleverly, MP for Braintree.
A ban on new petrol and diesel cars, part of the Prime Minister's "green revolution" was labelled an "immense challenge" by industry leaders.
"Success will depend on reassuring consumers that they can afford these new technologies," said car body SMMT.
The plans were welcomed by others with Josh Hardie, Confederation of British Industry director, saying: "It gives a springboard to the huge opportunities for UK-wide investment and green jobs that a true low-carbon economy can bring."