WHSmith part of GRIDSERVE electric forecourt retail offering
The UK’s first electric forecourt, situated near Braintree, Essex, has opened for business.
The site is the first of around 100 being built by GRIDSERVE over the next five years. It will be able to charge up to 36 electric vehicles simultaneously at speeds of up to 350kW.
Toddington Harper, Founder and CEO, GRIDSERVE, says: “This is a major milestone in achieving our purpose to deliver sustainable energy and move the needle on climate change.”
“It’s our collective responsibility to prevent greenhouse gas emissions rising further, and electric vehicles powered by clean energy represent a large part of the solution.”
“However, charging has to be simple and free of anxiety, which is why we’ve designed our electric forecourts entirely around the needs of drivers, updating the traditional petrol station model for a net-zero carbon world and delivering the confidence people need to make the switch to electric transport today – a full decade ahead of the 2030 ban on petrol and diesel cars.”
He adds: “Together with our charging included electric vehicle leasing business, that we are also launching today in partnership with Hitachi Capital (UK), people now have the full confidence to make the transition to an electric vehicle, knowing that charging is in-hand, and it’s actually less expensive to use an electric car than a petrol or diesel alternative.”
Best of British
A retail space hosts ‘Best of British’ partners including WHSmith Travel, Costa Coffee, Booths, Post Office, and Gourmade.
The facility also includes a waiting lounge, free superfast WiFi, washrooms, a kid's area, wellbeing area with exercise bikes that generate electricity, and business meeting room pods.
Toby Keir, Managing Director at WHSmith, says: “We have been serving customers on their journeys for over 200 years and we understand how important convenience is to people on the go.”
“We’re therefore delighted to be partnering with GRIDSERVE’s electric forecourt to deliver a new first-class customer experience, with fantastic service and a tailored retail offer.”
“It’s a great concept and we look forward to playing our part over the next 100 years with the future of electric cars.”
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