Schroders Capital has entered a partnership with electric vehicle charging operator Be.EV to install more than 200 ultra-rapid charging bays at 22 retail and leisure properties it manages across the United Kingdom, the companies said on Monday.
The £20 million investment will see Be.EV fund, install, and maintain high-speed charging stations—using Kempower chargers capable of delivering up to 300kW—across key retail locations. The project is backed by five Schroders Capital real estate funds, including Schroder Real Estate Investment Trust and Schroders Capital UK Real Estate Fund.
Be.EV, majority-owned by Octopus Energy Generation’s £1.5 billion Sky Fund, said the new infrastructure would support increased footfall at prominent sites housing tenants such as Sainsbury’s, Aldi, Lidl, Costa Coffee, McDonald’s, and IKEA. The chargers are designed to deliver up to 325 miles of range in as little as 20 minutes.
“This is a landmark deal for Be.EV, and we are excited to help the big brands who occupy the retail parks in Schroders’ portfolio benefit from the increased footfall EV charging brings,” said Asif Ghafoor, CEO of Be.EV.
The new charging hubs will be leased on 20-year agreements with index-linked rents, providing Schroders Capital’s clients with a long-term income stream while aligning with broader sustainability goals. A recent survey cited by the companies suggests that 57% of drivers using public chargers will shop or visit a cafe while their vehicles charge—benefits expected to grow as UK EV registrations rise, with a 31% increase projected in 2025.
“Improving the UK electric charging network is essential in supporting the UK’s energy transition goals, whilst it also aligns with our own net zero targets,” said Matthew Baddeley, Lead Asset Manager at Schroders Capital. “Be.EV’s offering is highly compelling, and we look forward to welcoming them to our retail warehouse portfolio.”