A new project has been announced that could see more than 100 solar-powered charging stations set up across the UK.
Sustainable energy company Gridserve has revealed plans to introduce these sites, which will provide electric vehicle owners with fast-charging points supplied by clean energy sources.
According to Gridserve, the £1 billion project has been back by the government and a series of ‘world-class partners’ – with 80 of the sites already secured to begin construction this year.
Each station will have zones for private and fleet vehicles like taxis, buses and delivery vehicles – with Gridserve claiming vehicles will be charged in 30 minutes or less.
This would give time for customers to use the coffee shop, food shops and high-speed internet lounges found at each site.
Toddington Harper, Gridserve founder and chief executive officer, said: We plan to make charging electric vehicles as easy as using petrol stations. The latest generation of electric vehicles are awesome, and ready for mainstream adoption, but drivers still worry about if or where they can charge, how long it will take, and what it will cost.
We're proud to be working with @ArupGroup + @ChargePointnet to revolutionise our Electric Forecourts®, putting #EV drivers at the heart of our projects >> https://t.co/2CShHYWNiO#ElectricVehicles #CleanEnergy pic.twitter.com/smrDfU4iK2
— GRIDSERVE HQ (@GRIDSERVE_HQ) March 29, 2019
“We plan to eliminate any range or charging anxiety by building a UK-wide network of customer-focussed, brand new Electric Forecourts® that will make it easier and cheaper to use an electric vehicle than a petrol or diesel alternative.”
Gridserve says that cars can access up to 500kW fast-charging points for replenishment in under 10 minutes, low-cost energy and up to 24 ultra-fast charging bays at each site to limit waiting times.
People will be able to book a place ahead of reaching the site, as well as get other car services, such as car cleaning.
The company also hopes to add solar farms next to each site, while those that don’t have enough space nearby will get energy sent from larger solar farms that can be stored at batteries.
