Construction begins on new electric charging forecourt at Markham Vale – capable of 100 miles of range in less than five minutes

The new Electric Forecourt on Enterprise Way is scheduled to open this winter, with capacity for 30 electric vehicles to be charged simultaneously.

Multiple charging connectors will cater for all types of electric vehicles with contactless payment accepted.

While charging, visitors can enjoy a coffee in the comfortable waiting lounge with free superfast WiFi, plus retail, a children’s play area and a dedicated EV educational space to increase understanding and awareness around electric vehicles.

The Electric Forecourt will include disabled parking, access ramps, accessible washrooms and lifts to all areas, making easy charging accessible to all.

The site – provided by sustainable energy providers Gridserve – will be powered by net zero carbon energy.

Gridserve’s Rebecca Trebble said: “We are happy to keep the momentum going with our award-winning electric forecourts following the success opening of London Gatwick electric forecourt.

"We have found with our electric forecourt sites that they serve as an excellent hub for the local community and can help with the uptake of electric vehicles.

Electric forecourts offer the best charging and retail experience available and we can’t wait to welcome new and returning customers to the Markham Vale electric forecourt.”

Councillor Tony King, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for clean growth and regeneration, said: “Gridserve’s new electric forecourt will be a great addition to Markham Vale right next to the M1 motorway.

"It will help to give motorists the confidence to make the switch to an electric vehicle and move us closer to our target of getting hundreds more public facing electric vehicle charge points in place throughout the county.

“Decarbonising transport is one of our top priorities as part of our climate change strategy which aims to reduce emissions generated by the county council to net zero by 2032 or sooner and help the rest of Derbyshire reduce carbon emissions generated within the county to net zero by 2050 or sooner.”

Gridserve’s Electric Highway now has over 175 locations with more than 1,200 charging bays, with 11 new locations with 90 charging bays opened in the first three months of 2024.