Region at heart of roll-out for electric vehicle charge point network

Drive Energi, the electric vehicle (EV) charge point operator, has sparked a deal with pubs operator Greene King to put the North West at the heart of its roll-out for charging points.

Greene King operates 2,700 pubs, restaurants and hotels across the UK.

The partnership, extending through to 2040, will see Drive Energi build, own and operate one of the UK’s largest retail located rapid charging networks with the first locations going live across the North West before the end of 2020.

The contactless payment-enabled Tritium 50kW DC charge points will be powered by renewable energy and available to use via a ‘Pay As You Go’ tariff, 24-hours a day, 365 days of the year with no subscription required.

By this Winter sites across Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Lancashire will become the first live charge point locations as part of the initial phase of deployment, with a wider roll-out taking place across the UK over the next three years.

The deal will provide EV charging infrastructure to bolster the Government’s commitment to support growth of green, zero emission technologies – including ending the sale of new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars by 2035.

Drive Energi chief executive, James Moat, said: “This is a significant milestone for Drive Energi and we are proud to be working in partnership with Greene King on this exciting project as the UK’s EV charging sector will play major role in leading a green recovery post COVID-19.

“With its clean air zones and expanding green infrastructure, the North West will be integral in the move to low carbon transport and driving the UK closer to achieving net-zero targets.

“We are committed to the roll-out of accessible public charging across the UK and drivers can expect to charge from over 300 Drive Energi locations by the end of 2021.”

Tony Hodgson, head of estates at Greene King, said: “We’ve been working hard developing our sustainability plans as we continue to build a greener business.

“With more people buying electric cars in a bid to be more environmentally friendly, we want to support our customers who come to dine or stay with us by offering electric charging ports in our pubs that are able to do so.”

Drive Energi is a subsidiary of energy investment company Box Energi.