GRIDSERVE Sustainable Energy Ltd – national electric vehicle (EV) charging network powered by renewable energy

Sector and market

The UK government has announced a ban on the sale of new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars from 2035.

To support the transition to electric-only passenger vehicles, the country needs a network of charging stations, as domestic charging is not universally accessible (40% of households have no access to off-street parking).

Location

Providing EV charging points across the UK will mean motorists can power their EVs wherever they go, with a fast, consistent, and fairly priced service.

Connectivity

The current charging points are located along the UK’s strategic road network.

This includes motorways and areas with a high volume of traffic - such as gateway roads for cities, or next to towns and densely populated areas.

Local talent and skills

There will be well-known national convenience retail units alongside the EV charging facilities, and the staff for these will be recruited from the local community.

Further details

GRIDSERVE’s sites are being built to high environmental standards, using low carbon construction materials to reduce emissions.

GRIDSERVE will also embark on a comprehensive biodiversity programme where possible at its sites and support remote nature-enhancing projects if it’s not possible to incorporate specific or meaningful programmes on GRIDSERVE sites.

This may include restoring woodland areas such as Scotland to maintain our overall biodiversity programme.

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) highlights

The decarbonisation of power and transport are two key elements of the UK government’s Ten Point Plan, which address the largest contributory sectors of carbon emissions in the UK.

This GRIDSERVE project will accelerate the transition to net zero transport by providing a low cost, open-access, fast, reliable and easy to use service.

Promoters and partnerships

To power its EV charging facilities, GRIDSERVE has built and operates some of the most technically sophisticated solar and energy storage projects in the UK.

It recently acquired the Electric Highway, the UK’s first EV charging network. It also has access to funding from Hitachi Capital (also a shareholder) and TPG’s RISE fund as well as a recent £200m investment from Infracapital (the infrastructure equity investment arm of M&G Plc).

Local and national government support

GRIDSERVE works closely with local authorities in the planning and development of its sites, as well as with national authorities such as the Highway Agency.

It has strong relationships with National Grid, Ofgem, and the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (part of the Department for Transport and Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy).