Construction begins on GRIDSERVE’s latest Electric Forecourt® in Stevenage

Construction begins today on the next Electric Forecourt® located on the Knebworth Estate in Stevenage. The fourth Electric Forecourt® from GRIDSERVE will serve the visitors, staff and local communities around the historic estate and in the wider Hertfordshire area. Located near Junction seven off the A1(M) and conveniently placed for passing motorway traffic, the ground-breaking ceremony was attended by Toddington Harper, GRIDSERVE CEO and Henry and Martha Lytton-Cobbold, Knebworth House Estate.

Once completed, Stevenage Electric Forecourt® will enable 34 electric vehicles to be charged simultaneously, with High Power chargers that can deliver up to 360kW, capable of adding 100 miles of range in less than 10 minutes. Multiple charging connectors will cater for all types of electric vehicles with contactless payment accepted, making it easier than ever to charge. The site will be powered by net zero carbon energy as GRIDSERVE continue to make vital changes to the UK EV infrastructure to support the decarbonisation of transport and move the needle on climate change.

While charging, visitors can enjoy a coffee, a comfortable waiting lounge with free superfast WiFi, convenience retail, children’s play area and a dedicated EV educational space to increase understanding and awareness around electric vehicles. The Electric Forecourt® will include disabled parking, access ramps, accessible washrooms and lifts to access all areas to make easy charging accessible to all.

Previous award-winning Electric Forecourts® in Braintree and Norwich have been hugely successful whilst also helping to increase the number of EV registrations in the area. GRIDSERVE’s third Electric Forecourt® at London Gatwick Airport will open in December 2023 while planning permission has already been confirmed for locations in Markham Vale, Uckfield, Gateshead and Plymouth with more than 30 additional sites also under development.

Toddington Harper, CEO of GRIDSERVE said: ‘As EV registrations continue to raise, it is crucial that all drivers are supported with reliable, convenient and fast public charging infrastructure. Our state-of-the-art Electric Forecourt® in Knebworth will support Stevenage Borough Council and the Knebworth Estate to preserve biodiversity, tackle air pollution, reduce carbon emissions and make it easier for both residents and tourists to switch to low-carbon transport. We look forward to welcoming drivers to the newest Electric Forecourt in the latter part of 2024.’

GRIDSERVE Electric Highway has transformed the UK’s motorway charging network with over 170 locations, over 680 charging units with over 1,000 connectors. To get drivers on their way quicker, over 230 High Power chargers have been installed at GRIDSERVE’s Electric Super and Retail Hubs. At this critical point in the journey towards a net zero future, GRIDSERVE has reached a milestone so far in 2023 of having 50 new Electric Super Hubs locations either already open, awaiting energisation, or in construction as part of phase one of its 2023 delivery plans.