FT MFG's First EV Only Forecourt Opens In Stretford, Manchester

Top 50 Indie MFG has opened its first electric vehicle (EV) only forecourt and valeting centre at its Stretford branch on the Chester Road, Manchester.

The development is part of MFG’s dual-fuel strategy to serve EV customers and become a major charge point operator in the UK.

In addition to being MFG’s first EV-only charging hub, the site is also Greater Manchester’s first dedicated ultra rapid charging forecourt, catering to all manufacturers of electric vehicles - helping to support mayor Andy Burnham’s plans to double the size of the region’s EV charging network set out in his inaugural Green Summit in March this year.

The site is strategically placed on the A56 and has eight dedicated ultra-rapid 150kW EV charging bays which can give 100 miles of range in just 10 minutes of charging.

In addition to the first of its kind EV power site, Stretford contains a leading convenience retail offering serving the local community with a Londis and a Greggs at the site, as well as a valeting centre.

MFG is investing around £40m in 2021 alone on EV charging hubs as well as undertaking a £50m investment to improve its retail, food to go, and valeting offer, and says it will continue the investment in the years ahead.

Velautham Ravichandran, contract manager for MFG Stretford said: “It is extremely exciting to be able to offer a dedicated ultra-rapid EV charging option to both our local community and those travelling through. We are now well positioned to serve UK motorists well into the future in this part of Manchester.”

MFG CEO William Bannister said: “As part of our £400 million investment plans, we are delighted to be opening this EV only forecourt that offers ultra-rapid charging on the Chester Road in Stretford which is a first for the North-West of the country. With 8 ultra-rapid charging bays, we believe this site will help lead the local transition to more sustainable Electric Vehicles.”

“MFG is committed to playing our part in ‘levelling up’ the charging infrastructure across the UK, beyond London and the South East.”

“We are investing heavily in ultra-rapid EV charging hubs alongside our existing fuel and convenience store network throughout the UK, including recent openings in Bristol and Birmingham and planned openings in Scotland and Wales this year. This is on top of a significant investment already by MFG in London which is leading the way in promoting cleaner motoring.”