Construction work has begun on one of UK’s first electric vehicle charging station in Essex.
The solar-powered site will house 24 rapid chargers, a supermarket and an electric vehicle education centre.
The forecourt will be built on a 2.5 acre site at Great Notley, near Braintree, by sustainable energy company Gridserve.
The station will be the first of over 100 sites across the UK, which will deliver convenient, ultra-fast and low cost charging for all types of electric vehicles.
The forecourt is partly being paid for by a £4.86m grant from the government and will have dedicated zones for private and fleet vehicles, such as taxis, buses, vans and lorries, and will offer sub 30-minute charging times.
Like a conventional motorway service station, the station just off the A131 will contain a small supermarket, coffee shop and lounge area with Wi-fi and meeting rooms.
The forecourt will be powered by a combination of roof-mounted solar panels, separate solar farms and integrated battery storage units, and will be located next to the Horizon 120 Business Park.
Toddington Harper, CEO and founder of Gridserve, said: “We plan to make charging electric vehicles as easy as using petrol stations.”
“The latest generation of vehicles are ready for mainstream adoption, but drivers still worry about where they can charge, how long it will take and what it will cost.”
“We’re looking forward to developing this site in Braintree to provide the infrastructure necessary to accelerate the electric vehicle revolution and help the UK meet climate and clean air targets.”
Cllr John McKee, Cabinet Member for Corporate Transformation at Braintree District Council, said: “We’re delighted that Gridserve has chosen the site next to Horizon 120 to locate their very first ‘Electric Forecourt’.”
“This will not only serve the businesses relocating to our park, but also all the residents in our district thinking about switching to green energy.”
“This eco-friendly facility fits in with our vision for the park. It will create a forward-looking business community with emphasis on long-term sustainability and future proofing to facilitate modern ways of living and working.”
“All these contemporary amenities set within a landscaped, quality environment will make Horizon 120 the place to work and to do business now and in the future.”
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