EV charging specialist in network deal with national retailer
Retail chain, Decathlon, has agreed a deal with Manchester-based electric vehicle charging network, Be.EV, to provide a network of ultra-rapid chargers.
It involves an agreement to establish EV charging solutions at select sports stores across the country.
Sites are already in the pipeline across various stores in the UK, with Decathlon’s Stockport site being first across the line to receive a charging hub.
The store is one of the largest in the UK, spanning more than 52,000 sq ft, and 16 ultra-rapid charging bays will be installed.
Decathlon Stockport receives up to 20,000 visitors per week, and is located minutes from the M60, which handles an average of more than 83,000 vehicles a day.
Stockport has close to 2,700 registered electric vehicles, and drivers will be able to charge their car while commuting or visiting the retailer.
The Kempower chargers will allow drivers to charge their vehicle to 80% in as little as 20 minutes, compared with 4-6 hours on a 7kW fast charger – a solution that matches Decathlon’s customer dwell time of approximately 30 minutes.
The chargers also feature unique load-balancing abilities, meaning they can intelligently distribute energy supply between vehicles according to capacity and demand..
Backed by £110m from Octopus Energy Generation, one of Europe’s largest renewable energy investors, Be.EV is on a mission to sustainably accelerate the UK’s EV revolution and improve communities by installing reliable chargers throughout the UK.
The deal is the latest step in Decathlon’s Transition 2026 plan – the retailer’s mission to achieve a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2026.
Asif Ghafoor, CEO and co-founder of Be.EV, said: ”We’re pleased to be partnering with such a high profile partner to deliver their EV strategy. Decathlon customers deserve reliable EV charging, and our state of the art charging infrastructure will bring high quality charging to sites across the UK.
“Our charging hubs will offer shoppers a convenient moment to charge their car, and Decathlon is getting ahead of the curve by providing reliable, high quality charging facilities for their customers.”
Chris Allen, UK Sustainability & Circular Economy Leader, Decathlon, said: “Introducing ultra-rapid EV charging solutions at select stores in partnership with Be.EV exemplifies our commitment to responsible practices that can help contribute to a better environment. Aligning with our mission to champion people and planet-positive solutions.”
Stockport is the first site to begin construction, with the charging hub expected to be completed in April 2024.
