ChargePoint to install 400 EV chargers at petrol stations

Electric vehicle charging point provider ChargePoint Services and Motor Fuel Group — one of the UK’s largest forecourt operators — have announced an agreement that will see charge points rolled-out at petrol stations nationwide.

Motor Fuel Group describes itself as the ‘second-largest independent forecourt operator’ in the UK, with a total of 413 petrol stations operating under brands including BP, Shell, JET and Murco in England, Scotland and Wales.

50kW electric vehicle charging points are to be installed at around 400 petrol stations across the UK

Each of the stations will host a 50kW charging point as part of the agreement. The chargers will become part of ChargePoint Services existing GeniePoint Network, run and managed through the GeniePoint Platform.

The two companies are describing the deal as ‘the first of its kind’ in the UK.

Alex Bamberg, managing director, ChargePoint Services, said: “Electric Vehicle Charging is now a critical public service, and we are on target to provide the most reliable, widespread rapid charging facilities across the UK for drivers of electric vehicles, backed up by our excellent, continuous customer care program.”

Jeremy Clarke, Motor Fuel Group’s chief operating officer, said: “We are delighted to be extending our fuel offer to customers. The growth of the electric and hybrid vehicle market is an important part of the fuel mix going forward. MFG is determined to be at the forefront of this technology, satisfying this growing demand.”

Coverage

Improved coverage for electric vehicle charging points is seen to be crucial in speeding up the adoption of electric vehicles among individuals and businesses, with concerns about range and a lack of recharging points two of the major barriers to speedier take-up of the technology.

The government identified the installation of charge points at motorway services and petrol stations as among the key measures it would back in its Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill — which it pledged to bring forward as part of the 2017 Queen’s Speech (see airqualitynews.com story).