Helix Renewable Energy Services are to open three 480kW electric vehicle (EV) charge points at Park Garage Group’s Blackpool forecourt.
The ultra-fast chargers will be able to charge six EVs simultaneously and have been designed for easy access for wheelchair users.
The Park and Shop branded site is one of 77 run by Park Garage Group, it invested over £100,000 to cover the costs for a new substation, the Helix Renewable Energy Solutions chargers, and a lit canopy for the comfort of its users.
The site is close to the M55, so will serve EV drivers visiting the popular seaside town as well as locals and commuters when it opens in the coming weeks.
This site is being used as a pilot, and if popular, the concept will be introduced at the group’s flagship store in Rushton, Northampton, as well as into two knockdown rebuilds it is planning in Sevenoaks in Kent in 2025, and Scholes in West Yorkshire in 2026.
Typically, the fastest public charge points currently available to UK drivers are 350kW. Using a 480kW charging station will significantly reduce the time it takes for vehicles to charge, in turn reducing queues at busier times. However, EV charging times are limited by the charging capacity depending on the make and model of the vehicle, so not all EVs will benefit from charging at the more powerful charge points over less powerful chargers.
Helix Renewable Energy Services who provided the charge points aim to build infrastructure that accelerates the delivery of net-zero emissions, identifying the most suitable and cost effective technologies for high energy users, developing infrastructure for zero-emissions transport across various sectors, as well as the design and delivery of rapid charging infrastructure.
