Britain’s first all-electric forecourt opens – but it takes at least 20 minutes to ‘fill up’
BRITAIN’S first all-electric forecourt opens for business today.
On the swish new site 36 electric cars at a time can have their batteries recharged.
But even using the service station’s ultra-fast chargers it can take between 20 minutes to half an hour to “fill up”. Costing 24p per kWh, the cost is around £10 for an average electric car.
To keep drivers occupied, the £10million site just off the A131 at Braintree, Essex, has a state-of-the-art waiting area with coffee bar, shops and a Post Office. There are even exercise bikes which generate electricity when pedalled.
Powered by 100 per cent renewable energy, the Braintree Electric Forecourt — close to Stansted airport and the M11 — is the first of 100 that owner Gridserve will build around the UK in the next five years, costing a total of £1billion.
Next in line are forecourts at Uckfield, Sussex and Norwich, which will open early next year.
Gridserve plans to build solar farms next to many of the forecourts to supply the electricity.
Managing director, Toddington Harper, wants the service to be as simple as stopping at a regular fuel filling station.
He said: “Our forecourts will make it easier and cheaper to charge an electric vehicle than to fuel a petrol or diesel alternative.
“Charging has to be simple and free of anxiety, which is why we’ve designed our electric forecourts entirely around the needs of drivers.
“We are updating the traditional petrol station model, delivering the confidence people need to make the switch to electric transport today.”
The UK’s first subsidy-free solar farm, Clay Hill in Flitwick, Beds, has been paired with the Braintree forecourt, providing renewable energy via the National Grid.
The forecourt also has a six-MWh battery, which can store enough power for 24,000-miles of electric car driving, helping to stabilise the grid and keep prices low.
Drivers can call a dedicated helpline of AA experts on electric cars from each supercharger and receive industry-leading advice on any technical questions related to the charger or even their vehicle.
The half-hour charging time using ultra-rapid technology is expected to be cut to around five minutes in the future with advances in technology.
On the upper floor of the forecourt waiting motorists can watch digital screens to find out more about the 200 types of electric vehicle on sale.
Local Tory MP James Cleverly said: “Gridserve’s electric forecourt is the most advanced charging facility in the world. It 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.”
There are 164,100 electric cars currently on UK roads, out of 32million vehicles.
Most read in Motors
PM Boris Johnson has announced a ban on all new petrol and diesel cars from 2030.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Britain now has 35,000 charging connectors at more than 13,000 locations — a five-fold rise since 2015. This includes 1,191 ultra-rapid chargers, up from 867 last year.
But while Gridserve’s forecourt is a start, the Society of Motor Manufacturers says Britain needs to build at least 500 charging points A DAY between now and 2030 to be ready for the moment new petrol and diesel cars are outlawed.
GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]