[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/large-ev-charging-forecourt-being-built-in-essex\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/large-ev-charging-forecourt-being-built-in-essex\/","headline":"Large EV Charging Forecourt Being Built in Essex","name":"Large EV Charging Forecourt Being Built in Essex","description":"GRIDSERVE, a sustainable energy company, is building an electric vehicle recharging forecourt I remember it well, the launch of the fleet vehicle-targeting Nissan Primera dual fuel, running on LPG with a fossil fuel backup (or the other way round). This was around 2003 and I was working for Nissan UK; one of the regular questions we used to have to deal with from the public asked where on earth they could refuel with LPG. While some councils and similar large […]","datePublished":"2020-03-19","dateModified":"2020-03-19","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Large-EV-Charging-Forecourt-Being-Built-in-Essex-feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Large-EV-Charging-Forecourt-Being-Built-in-Essex-feature.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/large-ev-charging-forecourt-being-built-in-essex\/","about":["BLOG","Cars","ELECTRIC CARS","LATEST CAR NEWS"],"wordCount":606,"keywords":["electric cars","EV Charging","EV Charging station"],"articleBody":"GRIDSERVE, a sustainable energy company, is building an electric vehicle recharging forecourt I remember it well, the launch of the fleet vehicle-targeting Nissan Primera dual fuel, running on LPG with a fossil fuel backup (or the other way round). This was around 2003 and I was working for Nissan UK; one of the regular questions we used to have to deal with from the public asked where on earth they could refuel with LPG. While some councils and similar large organisations deemed it cost effective to decide to construct their own LPG refuelling stations, this didn\u2019t help those reps working for smaller companies burning up the miles on the UK motorway network.The Primera conversion consisted of a reinforced \u2018donut\u2019that was constructed to be crash proof, but there were still many who were waryof the keyword combination of \u2018combustion\u2019 \u2018engine\u2019 and \u2018gas\u2019. Inevitably, itbecame clear that LPG refuelling was going to be a problem that was not goingto be resolved quickly, and the LPG\/dual fuel option pretty much petered outfor regular car use.Fast-forward to 2020 and we are heading rapidly towards an EV world, with electricity considered safer and more readily accessible. The technology is improving at a rapid rate too, making the negatives ever decreasing. One negative remains though – are there enough recharging stations to make a complete changeover viable?I suspect the honest answer to that is \u2018not yet\u2019 but newshas come of an intriguing project being constructed in Essex. GRIDSERVE, asustainable energy company, is building an electric vehicle rechargingforecourt on 25 acres of land in Great Notley near Braintree. GRIDSERVE saythat the massive EV recharging station will be able to cater for up to 24vehicles at any one time, with the station being run on solar power along witha battery storage network. It is set to open in the summer as a forerunner for furtherlarge recharging stations to be built across the UK, around 100 in fact. If allgoes to plan, this will indeed start to address the question of an electriccharging infrastructure \u2013 the lack of which so far is at odds with theGovernment\u2019s push for net zero emissions on our roads and for the UK to becomecarbon neutral by 2050.The EV forecourt is being part-paid for by a Government grant of \u00a34.86 million from Innovate UK. GRIDSERVE say that the forecourt and the planned rollout will allow electric vehicles to become mainstream at the earliest opportunity.Charging costs are as yet unknown, though GRIDSERVE describethe plan to provide \u2018ultra-fast, low cost charging\u2019 provided by superchargersdelivering up to 350kW of power. This would allow full charging to be completedwithin half an hour, with the hope that the time taken will decrease in time.The use of solar energy is part of the reason GRIDSERVE believe that they cankeep recharging costs low.I know what you\u2019re thinking: what do drivers do for half an hour while their EVs recharge? The forecourt complex will also house a 2-storey building where a coffee shop will be available, as well as the ability to shop; much like similar time-killing sections in airports. If learning is more your thing than shopping, then the facility will also provide an education centre for all things sustainable relating to energy, so you can leave with a smug grin knowing that you are doing a good thing.The full 100-plus electric forecourt programme will eventually cost in excess of \u00a31 billion, which should go some way to alleviate public concerns over the Government\u2019s plan to eradicate fossil fuel vehicles within the next 15 years. 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