New electric vehicle charging hubs in the Midlands

author: FutureCar Staff    

Be.EV, a charge point operator, has unveiled plans to install thousands of new electric vehicle (EV) charge points in the UK. The company is seeking dwell sites, including retail parks, pubs, and car parks, as well as freehold and leasehold sites in major cities like Birmingham, Derby, and Nottingham in the Midlands. With £110 million in funding from Octopus Energy Generation, Be.EV aims to accelerate the EV revolution in a sustainable manner and enhance communities by providing reliable chargers nationwide.

FHP, a leading commercial property agent, has been appointed to identify new sites in the Midlands. Doug Tweedie, the director and head of Birmingham office at FHP, stated that the company is considering various easily accessible city center and community locations to improve charging facility access for local residents. The new EV charging sites will primarily be concentrated around retail parks, pubs, and new forecourts, ranging from 0.2 acres and above, and will be powered by renewable energy from Octopus Energy.

Tweedie emphasized the importance of the charging experience in driving mass EV adoption, stating that there is currently a lack of reliable and accessible locations. Be.EV, however, is well-funded and boasts the fastest growing charging network in the UK, with an impressive operational availability rate of 99.6%. The collaboration between FHP and Be.EV aims to expand the community-centered public EV charging network in the Midlands, inspiring more individuals to switch to electric vehicles.

The company is engaging in discussions with commercial landlords and private landowners, some of whom were previously unaware that their sites could be repurposed for EV charging. Tweedie explained that there are numerous vacant sites in the region, such as petrol stations, supermarkets, or drive-thru outlets, which benefit from passing traffic but lack the necessary financing or direction for development. Be.EV will fully fund, manage, and provide power access to each development, relieving the landowners of any significant responsibility.

Asif Ghafoor, the CEO and co-founder of Be.EV, expressed delight in working with FHP to bring their charging infrastructure to cities throughout the Midlands. Ghafoor praised FHP for understanding the value of offering reliable, high-quality charging facilities in accessible and convenient locations, positioning the company at the forefront of the EV charging revolution. He highlighted that EV charging presents an excellent opportunity to increase footfall and create sustainable income streams for commercial landlords and landowners, while also contributing to the reduction of air pollution. Ghafoor looks forward to commencing work with FHP and collaborating on future projects.

FutureCar Staff