Start of Be.EV partnership

author: FutureCar Staff    

Retail park operator The Derwent Group has announced a new partnership with EV charging network Be.Ev to provide a reliable charging service for shoppers. The first installation of this partnership is a "state-of-the-art" hub at White City Retail Park in London.

As part of the collaboration, all Be.EV members will have exclusive access to free charging at the White City location for a week, until November 21st. This initiative aims to drive additional footfall and enhance the value of The Derwent Group's sites. In fact, three more charging hubs are planned for popular retail destinations in the North West of England, including Liverpool, Warrington, and Wallasey.

All of these sites will be equipped with Kempower chargers, which are known for their fast charging capabilities. These chargers can charge a typical EV to 80% in just 20 minutes, compared to several hours on a standard fast charger.

Furthermore, the Kempower chargers are designed to intelligently distribute energy supply between vehicles according to demand. This means that if one car reaches the maximum power on one charger, any remaining energy supply can be reassigned to another vehicle connected on-site.

White City Retail Park attracts an average of 140,000 vehicles per month. With the installation of ten parking bays and five 150kW ultra-rapid chargers, the goal is to allow more shoppers' cars to be charged in a day and become available for the next person more quickly. This is crucial in ensuring a smooth and convenient charging experience while drivers browse the shops.

Be.EV has taken care of all the up-front installation and operating costs for the White City hub, including the design, build, installation, and ongoing maintenance.

Asif Ghafoor, CEO of Be.EV, expressed his delight in working with The Derwent Group and bringing their state-of-the-art charging infrastructure to retail sites. He also noted that retail parks offer a convenient opportunity for shoppers to charge their cars, and The Derwent Group is leading the way by providing reliable and high-quality charging facilities.

Peter Gilliland, Head of Property Management at The Derwent Group, explained that the roll-out of electric vehicle chargers with Be.EV at White City is an exciting step towards creating more sustainable and improved amenities for customers. He also mentioned that The Derwent Group plans to introduce electric vehicle chargers at 11 more sites in the future.

The Derwent Group operates on behalf of The Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation, which funds projects run by registered charities. The charity's property portfolio currently includes office, industrial, leisure, and retail space spanning three million sq ft.

FutureCar Staff