Be.EV, the UK’s fastest-growing public EV charging network, has opened the Manchester Charging Oasis in Failsworth, and is promising the cheapest charging in the UK at the site on Saturday 21st June, with drivers paying only 1p/kWh all day, meaning they’re guaranteed to get a full charge for under £1.
The site, located on the corner of Reliance Street and Oldham Road (Manchester, M40 3AX), is one of the first projects of its kind to repurpose a former petrol station into a modern EV charging hub in the UK.
The land was a derelict petrol station for over 15 years, but is now home to an ultra-rapid charging hub, with twelve 300kW ultra-rapid charging bays that allow drivers to add up to 325 miles of range in a 20-minute stop. This includes two extra long bays, an accessible bay and four waiting bays where drivers can park while waiting for a charger.
The site is home to a new Caffè Nero Express, the latest addition to the premium European independent coffee house’s 1,100 store drive-to estate. Visitors to the launch event on 21st June will get a free coffee or hot drink from Caffè Nero, as well as a free ice cream.
One of the chargers was designed by Srinika Malladi, a year 3 pupil at the Co-op Academy New Islington, a local primary school, as part of a competition run by Be.EV. The charge point operator ran an educational day for the children at the Manchester Charging Oasis to teach them about EVs, EV charging and net zero.
The site is perfect not only for the more than 1,250 registered EVs in the area, but also for the 26,000 commuters who pass by the site every day. The Manchester Charging Oasis is expected to be a favoured destination in the area as the EV transition picks up steam, with over 150,000 EVs set to be on Manchester’s roads by 2038.
Failsworth forms part of the ‘Northern Gateway’, one of the six key growth zones outlined in Greater Manchester’s 10-year industrial strategy, and the Manchester Charging Oasis is the latest step in the area’s extensive transformation. Be.EV has invested £4m to develop the site and has only used local suppliers in its construction.
The site features a top layer of tarmac made from recycled tyres, as well as solar panels and recycled bricks as part of the Caffè Nero Express. Recycled water from drainage is also being used in the store, and the wildflower garden and trees on site will also generate a net biodiversity gain of 21.2%.
Asif Ghafoor, CEO of Be.EV, said: “This flagship site has been a long time in the making, and we’re thrilled that it’s open to the public. It’s taken a lot of hard work to get to this point and is a proud day for everyone in the business.
“This site will change ultra-rapid public charging forever. It’s been designed to give drivers exactly what they want – not only amenities to give them a break from driving, but also trees, wildflowers and nature that makes drivers excited to come here and charge.
“We can’t wait to see members of the local community and EV drivers at our event on Saturday, which is why we’re giving them the cheapest EV charging anywhere in the country to celebrate. This site will also be 50p/kWh going forward, making it the cheapest ultra-rapid charging site in Manchester. We care about our community, and want drivers to know that we’re on a mission to give drivers cheap charging that they can count on every time.”
