Be.EV has launched the first of 20 electric charging sites it plans for Stockport, as part of a £15 million agreement with the local council.
The hub, near the Romiley Precinct shopping centre, comprises four charging bays, and ultra-rapid chargers.
When complete, the network in the Greater Manchester town will have more than 100 EV charging bays, according to Be.EV.
Under the deal, signed in March last year, Stockport Council will receive a share of the charging revenue.
Additional sites on Ashbrook Lane, Church Road, Massie Street, Mellor Road and Commercial Road East will go live in the coming months, with Be.EV offering its members free charging on launch days.
Be.EV says the hub will “provide a boost to the local economy and provide EV drivers with reliable and convenient charging” while they visit outlets in the centre, which include a Sainsbury’s and a Royal Bank of Scotland.
The facility, close to the M60, sees an average of 83,000 vehicles a day, with the number of registered electric vehicles in the town close to 2,700, says Be.EV.
Although the chargers are available to all, Be.EV members can charge their cars at a discounted rate.
Be.EV says it runs the largest public EV charging network across Great Manchester.
Cllr Mark Roberts, cabinet member for climate change and environment on Stockport Council, says the partnership with Be.EV will help the town achieve its target of becoming carbon neutral by 2038.
Asif Ghafoor, chief executive of Be.EV says: “It is great to see the first hub from our partnership with Stockport Council up and running, and we’re excited to install more community focused charging infrastructure across the borough.
“Stockport Council is getting ahead of the curve by providing reliable ultra-rapid and rapid charging for its residents to use that do not have off-road parking of their own, while generating additional footfall to retail hot spots.
“Other councils should sit up and take notice - sites like these are perfect for simultaneously achieving their net-zero transition goals while also providing a boost to local businesses.”
Stockport Council says there are four public charging points and two rapid charging points (each with two off-street bays) already operational.
