London Gatwick airport is planning an electric charging forecourt in partnership with sustainable energy company Gridserve. The ‘Electric Forecourt’, not to be confused with a forecourt where an airport charges you a ‘drop off’ fee , is described by Gatwick as the ‘net zero carbon equivalent of a petrol station’.
The new facility, which will open in Autumn 2022, will be available for passengers, commuters, airport staff, local residents and businesses and will have the capacity for 36 electric vehicles to be charged simultaneously, with high-power chargers capable of delivering up to 350 kW of charging power and adding 100 miles of range in less than 10 minutes.
The facility will located on the Ring Road South approach to Gatwick’s South Terminal and adjacent to the M23. It will host a café, comfortable waiting lounge with free WiFi, a convenience supermarket, children’s play area and a dedicated educational space to increase awareness around electric vehicles. The site will also be supplied with low cost, 100% renewable net zero carbon energy generated by Gridserve’s own solar farms.
Jonathan Pollard, Chief Commercial Officer, Gatwick Airport, said: “Gatwick is pleased to partner with Gridserve to deliver this fantastic and sustainable service. Our new high-powered charging facility – delivered by Gridserve – will help meet the increasing need for electric vehicle charging infrastructure at the airport, including the growing number of our passengers who own electric vehicles and need fast, convenient and effective charging facilities.
Toddington Harper, CEO of Gridserve, said: “Gatwick isn’t just an airport, it’s an ecosystem of commuters, travellers, staff, taxi drivers, car rental companies, local residents and businesses, all culminating in a transport hub that hosts tens of millions of drivers every single year. The Gatwick Electric Forecourt® will give these drivers and businesses the confidence to switch away from petrol and diesel cars, making electric journeys to and from one of the country’s most important transport hubs straightforward and sustainable.”
All of Gridserve’s chargers offer contactless payment and, from today, only require a £1 bank card preauthorisation check to activate a charge, making it even more convenient to pay.
