British Firm Gridserve Plans To Construct 100 Solar EV Forecourts in UK

A new generation of solar-powered charging stations for electric cars is being developed across Britain. 

UK based company Gridserve is planning a country-wide network of more than 100 Solar powered stations called ‘forecourts’ in the next five years. These will supply clean, low-cost energy from new solar farms in a £1 billion programme.

The company has drawn up plans for a network of forecourts tailored to charge cars, vans and buses quickly. They will have space for 24 charging bays and lounges that motorists can use while they wait and take advantage of facilities including a coffee shop, fresh food, convenience supermarket and high-speed internet.

Gridserve says that drivers would be able to reserve spaces in advance using an app to avoid long waits and that smaller vehicles could be charged in less than ten minutes while larger vehicles will take up to 30 minutes.

Construction is scheduled to start later this year at York and Hull, where Gridserve is building the UK’s most advanced solar farms.

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“We plan to make charging electric vehicles as easy as using petrol stations,” said Gridserve CEO and founder Toddington Harper. He added, “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 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.”

The app will also play a central role in loyalty and referral schemes. It will reward people with ‘road miles’ for using onsite services provided by Gridserve and its partners including ChargePoint Inc.

Christopher Burghardt, MD Europe at ChargePoint, said: “The electric mobility revolution is upon us and ChargePoint continues to work to help create an open and accessible network that enables drivers to enjoy an effortless charging experience everywhere they live, work and play throughout Europe.

“ChargePoint is committed to collaborating with partners like Gridserve to build out the EV charging network of tomorrow and make driving electric vehicles more accessible and seamless than ever.”

Gridserve’s £1bn programme is one of 11 in a £5bn portfolio of energy and infrastructure projects across the UK which the Department for International Trade has selected to promote to global investors.