Merry Hill leads the way with EV charging initiative

Thirty-two twin-socket electric vehicle charging points have been installed at Merry Hill shopping centre, in an effort to respond to an undersupply of EV chargers in the local area.

Real estate and development manager Sovereign Centros has secured investment from Leeds-based EV charging specialist Zest, as the installer and operator of the charge points.

With the ability to charge 64 cars simultaneously, Sovereign Centros says Merry Hill is now one of the largest EV charging initiatives in the West Midlands.

Merry Hill’s EV chargers consist of two different types: fast and rapid. They have been selected to reflect the average customer dwell time at Merry Hill, so visitors are therefore able to charge while they shop, with the 22kW fast chargers adding 90 miles’ range in just one hour.

A selection of rapid chargers has also been made available, which can fully charge most cars in less than an hour, providing customers with options to match the purpose of their visit to the centre.

According to recent research conducted by data and technology business consultancy CACI, 68% of consumers who intend to own an EV will visit retailers and businesses more frequently if they provide the right charging facilities.

Graeme Jones, director at Sovereign Centros, said, “Electric vehicles are the future, and we want to ensure we provide visitors with as much accessibility to sustainable travel options as possible.

“We know how important taking positive action against climate change is to customers, and we want to continue to align as much as we can with these values.

“The implementation of Merry Hill’s new charging points is the first in a series of sustainability-focused initiatives that put our commitment in action, and we are delighted Zest has invested in our destination, and partnered with us on this crucial scheme.”

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, added: “We’ve committed to rolling out thousands of EV chargers right across our region. We know that as EV adoption accelerates, having the right infrastructure in place in key locations will ensure a smooth and rapid transition.

“It’s great to see Merry Hill at the forefront of that change with 30 EV chargers going into their car park”.

Robin Heap, CEO of Zest, added: “In the future, people won’t travel to charge, they’ll simply charge where they park as part of their normal routine. It sounds simple, but it requires a lot of reliable charging infrastructure to be effective.

“Merry Hill is one of the first retail centres in the UK to properly prepare for the EV revolution, building a foundation for future success.”