World’s first electric forecourt opens in Braintree

The world’s first-ever all-electric forecourt has opened its doors in our very own Braintree, Essex. A truly innovative development from GRIDSERVE, this Electric Forecourt is pioneering the way for owners of electric and hybrid vehicles to charge their cars. With space for up to 36 cars to charge concurrently, the opening of the Braintree location is expected to be the first of more than 100 charging stations to be introduced by the company over the next five years.

Not only does this new forecourt provide a place for low emissions motorists to charge their vehicle, they can do so knowing that all energy used for charging comes from renewable sources. The clean energy is sourced from the solar farms at Clayhill in Bedfordshire, as well as overhead solar canopies. What’s more, there’s even a battery capable of storing enough energy for up to 24,000 miles, meaning there will never be any shortage for visitors.

A variety of charging stations have been incorporated into the forecourt, with solutions available for all kinds of vehicles ranging from motorcycles to HGVs and everything in between. For example, 12 DC chargers offering up to 350kW will be able to offer enough charge for up to 200 miles in as little as 20 minutes, with prices at 24p/kWh making it more than affordable.

This is, of course, more than just a selection of charging points. In fact, the forecourt provides a number of leading facilities much like a traditional service station. Superfast WiFi is available across the site, while a selection of leading retailers - such as a Costa, WH Smith, Gourmade and Booths - all have a presence. Combined with relaxing lounge areas, you can sit back and relax in comfortable surroundings while your vehicle charges.

Here at Glyn Hopkin, we’re delighted to be able to offer our customers a selection of hybrid and electric vehicles to purchase today. Get in touch with us to learn more about the range of models we have available and to discuss the many benefits of making the switch from combustion engine to hybrid and electric performance.