Welcome
This page provides information on our plans for an Electric Forecourt® in Plymouth.
The future of EV charging is coming to Plymouth
GRIDSERVE has secured planning permission to build and operate its award-winning EV charging facilities on the A386 in Outland Road, Plymouth, PL2 2DE. The Plymouth Electric Forecourt® will provide an unrivalled charging experience for drivers of all types of electrical vehicles in the region, and be powered exclusively by renewable energy. Construction is planned for 2024/2025 and once open, it will help support the region’s ambition to address the climate emergency, reduce carbon emissions and improve local air quality.
Who is GRIDSERVE
GRIDSERVE® is a tech-enabled international sustainable energy business. We develop, build, own and operate dependable, low cost, clean energy solutions for critical power infrastructure. To help reduce greenhouse gas emissions as quickly as possible, we #deliver net zero carbon solutions for power and transport which are designed to be better and less expensive than legacy solutions. With this project, we intend to continue our tech-enabled 'sun to wheel' infrastructure to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles.
The Site
The site of the proposed Electric Forecourt® is located on Outland Road, just to the north of Home Park Stadium. Access into the site will be taken from Outland Road. An area to the south of the main site will be used for battery storage. The site of the Electric Forecourt® is approximately 1 acre (0.39 ha).
The Proposed Electric Forecourt®
GRIDSERVE has carefully considered the feasibility of an Electric Forecourt® on the site and carried out a detailed site analysis. This analysis considered environmental and planning designations, proximity to major roads and residential areas, existing screening, topography, proximity to the grid connection point, capacity in the local electricity grid and availability of electric vehicle charging facilities in the local area.
An Electric Forecourt® is the new generation of filling station designed to meet the demands of the electric vehicle market. The concept was conceived through extensive research into the limitations and frustrations with existing charging infrastructure, and with 32 rapid and high power charging points, it will future-proof Plymouth for the transition to green transport.
View the first GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourt® in Braintree, Essex.
Community Benefits
Plymouth currently has 22 existing rapid electric vehicle charging points which will not meet both current and forecasted demand.
The Plymouth Electric Forecourt® will provide 32 new rapid and high power charging points and make a significant contribution to local electric vehicle infrastructure whilst serving passing traffic on the A386.
It will be a green and clean development aligns with local and national support for electrifying transportation to reduce carbon emissions, a provision that is simply not achievable at the majority of existing petrol stations.
- Potential to charge up to 32 vehicles at very high speeds simultaneously.
- A scheme that will enable people to transition to electric mobility and contribute to improvements to local air quality.
- The use of 100% renewable energy to help with the transition to a net zero carbon economy.
- On-site renewable electricity generation to power the amenities building.
- A pedestrian friendly, relaxing dwell time environment to ensure customers can make best use of their charging time.
- The creation of at least nine new, full-time jobs in a growing sector of the economy.
Features of an Electric Forecourt®
Electric Forecourts® support the transition to electric vehicles and future-proof communities to meet the UK’s net zero carbon goals.
The electric vehicle charging spaces will focus on the fastest vehicle charging capability with charging provision for different vehicle types including charging provision for contracted fleet vehicles. GRIDSERVE's rapid and high power charging solutions will address the needs of mass market electrical vehicle drivers.
The Plymouth site includes a pedestrian friendly environment with external walking routes and a covered walkway that connects charging spaces to the upper hub building. Within the hub building will be a range of ancillary facilities, designed to maximise the experience of charging, and optimise the use of the associated dwell time.
- Lounge-space for people to relax whilst charging their vehicle.
- Food and beverage, including convenience retail and small-scale coffee shop.
- Toilet facilities and wellbeing area.
- Free high speed Wi-Fi and meeting pods.
- An electric vehicle education service.
Key Development Principles
- A modular design that is scalable and can largely be developed off-site.
- Ease of access from the highway network.
- Sensitive landscape design and
additional native tree planting. - Minimal land-take through an efficient use of the site.
- A green, clean and high-quality customer environment with ancillary facilities and services.
- Use of permeable surfaces wherever possible.
“The proposed design has been developed around a number of key principles to ensure environmental harmony and ongoing sustainable principles are met.”
- Raoul Tuffnell, Chief Development Officer at GRIDSERVE.
Biodiversity and tree planting initiatives are an important consideration in all GRIDSERVE development projects. The site will be supplied by net zero carbon energy from solar farms with biodiverse nature sanctuaries. It will honour Plymouth's 2019 Climate Emergency Declaration and help to accelerate the transition to net zero transport in the region.
Ecology
Ecology and tree surveys have been undertaken to access the ecological value of the site and the existing trees. The site proposal will require the removal of some trees to facilitate the site's development. However, off-site mitigation will compensate for these trees in line with Plymouth Council's Plan for Tree Planting. The proposal will also deliver new landscaping at the site, including a living green wall to improve the ecological value of the site.
Transport
The Electric Forecourt® will not be a significant trip generator and will primarily be used by cars already on the network.
There will therefore be limited impact on local traffic levels. A Transport Assessment forms part of the planning application. This will assess the capacity at local junctions, including those on A386/ Outland Road.
Flood Risk
The site is situated wholly in ‘Flood Zone 1’ which is an area of land with the least probability of flooding.
A Flood Risk Assessment and Drainage Strategy was submitted as part of the planning application, which provides further details.
THANK YOU, PLYMOUTH
If you'd like to ask questions, we encourage you to email us on connect@gridserve.com with the subject line Plymouth.