Electric vehicle (EV) charging company GRIDSERVE has started construction of a first-of-its-kind “Electric Forecourt” at London Gatwick Airport with plans to commence operation in 2023.
The site will feature 36 chargers on site at the Electric Forecourt, which includes high power chargers with up to 350kW of power, supplied by 100% renewable energy from the firm’s own hybrid solar farms.
GRDISERVE’s Forecourt will also have multiple connectors available to cater for all types of EVs whilst increasing accessibility via the use of contactless payments.
The site’s development follows the success of similar projects in Braintree and Norwich, all of which contributing to GRIDSERVE’s commitment to deliver over 100 Electric Forecourts.
The Norwich Forecourt offers visitors without EVs the opportunity to learn more and chat with EV gurus, while in the coming weeks visitors will be able to test drive electric cars from a variety of brands as part of GRIDSERVE Car Leasing.
This could potentially increase the adoption of EVs with the general public being informed on the positives of switching to EVs whilst also being able to trial one for themselves.
This provides further assurances to drivers with Centrica’s Hive having revealed that 54% of UK drivers want to switch to an electric car within the next five years ahead of the internal combustion engine production ban from 2030.
The firm has already had planning permission confirmed on Uckfield, Gateshead, Plymouth and Stevenage with more than 30 additional sites also under development.
“It is great to mark this year’s World EV Day with an important step in the construction of our latest GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourt and our journey to creating reliable and accessible EV charging in the UK. Whilst timelines have not been without their challenges, we are targeting delivery of Gatwick Electric Forecourt in summer 2023,” said Toddington Harper, CEO of GRIDSERVE.
“Visitors will find an outstanding customer experience for those making electric journeys to and from one of the country’s most important transport destinations. We look forward to welcoming everyone to our latest Electric Forecourt as soon as possible next year.”
Despite the positive growth of GRDISERVE’s charging network, it hasn’t been immune to the effects of the ongoing energy crisis. Despite using renewable energy to provide clean power for EVs charging at their charging network, the company has had to increase its all-round prices to maintain competitiveness.
As a result, the EV infrastructure company confirmed it had raised the pricing of its high-power EV charging to 66p/kWh, the price of medium power charging to 65p/kWh, the cost of its low power charging to 49p/kWh and the cost of the GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourt to 64p/kWh.
Gatwick is not the only UK airport to be developing renewable initiatives in a bid to reduce its overall carbon footprint. London Stansted recently received planning permission for the development of a 14.3MW solar farm designed to make the airport’s energy supply more secure.
“It’s fantastic to see construction of the UK’s first airport-based electric charging forecourt get underway at London Gatwick. The new GRIDSERVE facility, opening next year, will provide passengers, staff, local residents, businesses and commuters with an excellent, state-of-the-art service,” said Jonathan Pollard, chief commercial officer at Gatwick Airport.
“It will also support London Gatwick’s sustainability targets, in line with VINCI Airports’ global environmental action plan to develop carbon-free energy for passengers and users – the first in the industry to be applied to a network of more than 50 airports in 11 countries.”
Current±’s publisher Solar Media is running the EV World Congress on 5 and 6 October at the Leonardo Royal Hotel Tower Bridge. To find out more and get your ticket, see here.