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Be.EV rolls out first chargers as part of £15m project in the UK

May 13, 2024

Stockport Council and Be.EV, an electric vehicle (EV) charging network provider, have launched their first EV charging hub. Located near the Romiley Precinct shopping center, it’s equipped with four charging bays, including two ultra-rapid, one rapid, and one fast charger.

The ultra-rapid chargers can add approximately 125 miles of range in a 15-minute stop. This launch marks the beginning of a partnership between Stockport Council and Be.EV, which was established in March last year.

The Romiley site is the first of 20 installations that Be.EV has agreed to deliver as part of a £15 million deal to enhance the electric transport infrastructure in Stockport. Future sites on Ashbrook Lane, Church Road, Massie Street, Mellor Road, and Commercial Road East are expected to go live in the coming months. Be.EV members will be able to charge their cars for free on launch days.

The charging hub is expected to boost the local economy and provide reliable and convenient charging for EV drivers while they shop at the nearby Sainsbury’s or visit their local branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland. The hub is located 10 minutes from the M60, which sees an average of over 83,000 vehicles a day. Stockport has nearly 2700 registered electric vehicles, whose drivers will be able to charge their cars while commuting or visiting nearby retailers.

Stockport Council will also receive a share of the revenue from the charge points. The Romiley site’s launch allows Stockport to join the largest public EV charging network in Greater Manchester, connecting communities across the UK. Be.EV has funded all up-front installation and operating costs for the Romiley Precinct hub and managed the design, build, installation, and ongoing maintenance of the site.

Cllr Mark Roberts, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, said: “It’s fantastic to see the first charging point in operation following the agreement signed in 2023. The whole of Stockport, including the council, residents and businesses, must make big changes to reduce our emissions now so that we stop contributing to climate change and providing this new infrastructure will help us on that challenging journey. Installing more electric vehicle chargers is a key element for the council with regards to its commitment to taking action on climate change as we aim for Stockport to be carbon neutral by 2038.”

Asif Ghafoor, CEO of Be.EV said: “It is great to see the first hub from our partnership with Stockport Council up and running, and we’re excited to install more community focused charging infrastructure across the borough. Stockport Council is getting ahead of the curve by providing reliable ultra-rapid and rapid charging for its residents to use that do not have off-road parking of their own, while generating additional footfall to retail hot spots. Other councils should sit up and take notice – sites like these are perfect for simultaneously achieving their net-zero transition goals while also providing a boost to local businesses.”