Be.EV, one of the prominent charge point operators (CPOs) in the UK, is set to install 38 ultra-rapid chargers across four retail centres, positioning many of these hubs as the largest of their kind in the respective regions. The new charging stations will be located in Northamptonshire, Birmingham, Kent, and South Gloucestershire, featuring Kempower chargers that offer power outputs of up to 150 kW.
Although Be.EV has not specified the exact number of chargers at each site, it has emphasized the significance of the South Gloucestershire hub, which currently has one of the lowest proportions of EV chargers in the UK. This new facility is expected to greatly enhance charging options in the area.
The investment, valued at £3.5 million, is part of a partnership with a Magnetar Capital-backed portfolio of retail centres, with Northdale Advisors acting as the operating partner for this initiative.
Asif Ghafoor, CEO of Be.EV, remarked, “We are pleased to have forged this partnership with Magnetar and Northdale to bring ultra-rapid charging to shoppers across their portfolio.” He further highlighted the company’s extensive expertise in deploying and maintaining chargers at retail parks, noting that these installations will not only serve local communities but also boost retail revenues by increasing visitor numbers.
Tim Williams from Northdale Advisors added, “The rollout of Be.EV’s ultra-rapid chargers across our portfolio will provide a market-leading amenity for our visitors while also attracting new customers to our retailers. Importantly, the transaction will also help us to deliver on our wider ESG strategy.”
Recently, Be.EV secured £55 million in funding from NatWest and the German KfW IPEX-Bank, which will aid in its expansion to over 1,000 fast chargers by year-end. Additionally, Be.EV has joined the Plugsurfing network and opened its first charging hub in Stockport, Greater Manchester, at the beginning of the year, with plans for a second site in the near future.
Backed by Octopus Energy Generation, which invested £110 million in the charge point operator last year, Be.EV is well-positioned to expand its charging infrastructure to meet the increasing demand for electric vehicle charging solutions across the UK.