Plans for a sustainable motorway service station with no petrol or diesel pumps have been given the go-ahead.
Gridserve Sustainable Energy has got permission to build the facility just off the M1 in north Derbyshire, which will have more than 30 high-power charging bays for electric vehicles supplied by net zero electricity.
As well as allowing travellers to top up their batteries, the site, at junction 29a of the motorway near Chesterfield, would also offer public charging for a nearby housing development and wider community. It will also have charging points for electric lorries and other HGVs as well as a café and shop.
The new Electric Forecourt will be built between Enterprise Way and the eastern side of Duckmanton, and the plans feature 22 high power chargers, providing up to 350kW – powerful enough to supply up to 100-miles of range in less than 10-minutes. There would also be lower-powered units and high-powered HGV charging points.
Designs for the contemporary building include solar roof panels designed to reduce the electricity demand of the building and surrounding landscaping to promote wildlife habitats.
Gridserve chief executive Toddington Harper said: “We are committed to delivering EV charging infrastructure that both enables the transition to net zero carbon transport, and excites drivers to make the transition to electric vehicles.
“The geographical distribution of EV charging across the UK is essential to usher in the mass market era of electric vehicles.
“This development would benefit the local community, and the wider UK as it reduces its reliance on fossil fuels.
“We are proud to have chosen the area of Markham Vale for this project and we hope the people across the region share our passion for delivering a cleaner, more sustainable future in the earliest possible timeframes.”
Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for clean growth and regeneration, Coun Tony King, said it would help the county move closer to a target of helping to get 1,000 public facing electric vehicle charge points in place by 2025.
