Cambridge firm’s ‘game-changing’ EV network ultra-fast rollout across UK

Reading Time: 3 minutes

A Cambridge construction firm has been appointed to help build over 100 “game-changing” ultra-fast EV charging stations across the UK.

Ingleton Wood, a property and construction consultancy based in Oakington, Cambridge, has been selected by The EV Network, a leading electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure company, on a major rollout of ultra-fast charging stations on key road networks and locations.

The partnership between Ingleton Wood and The EV Network (EVN) aims to deliver over 100 ultra-fast charging stations with additional schemes in the next few years to increase the availability of EV charging before the sale of new petrol and diesel cars is banned by 2030.

All schemes will be committed to an ambitious net-zero strategy using renewable materials and supply chains during construction. Each site will use renewable electricity from the National Grid in addition to solar panels built into the roof and energy storage systems.

Under new ultra-fast technology, a 15-minute visit using 300kW chargers can charge a typical vehicle back up to around 80% from a low amount of 10-20% approximately.

A planning application for the first EVN charging site has been submitted for a location at Cransley Park in Kettering, Northamptonshire.

The development is at a strategic location on the A14 and will contain ultra-fast charging for 24 vehicles with a solar canopy and battery storage. The forecourt features a café and rest area for drivers as they charge, as well as toilet and other facilities.

Anni Folan-White, partner at Ingleton Wood, which is providing multi-disciplinary services including planning, architectural and project management, said: “We are delighted to be working with The EV Network on this exciting and futuristic project to revolutionise EV charging across the UK – starting with this fantastic proposal in Northamptonshire.

“We have extensive experience in designing and managing complex infrastructure projects and we’ve worked tirelessly and meticulously across our multi-disciplinary teams to make the initial concept a reality.

“We look forward to advancing this project and achieving our net-zero ambitions at such a pivotal moment following the latest stark warnings on global climate change from the UN’s intergovernmental panel on climate change (IPCC).”

The EV charging stations will range from a simple charging hub with 12 ultra-fast charging points, to a larger forecourt similar to the Kettering site with 24 ultra-fast charging bays.

Concerns over charging infrastructure were identified as the biggest barrier for UK motorists switching to EVs, a recent Department for Transport (DfT) survey found. Almost four in 10 (38%) cited worries over where and how to recharge, while another 38% had concerns over battery life/distance travelled. Three in 10 (30%) mentioned a scarcity of charging points.

Reza Shaybani, co-founder and chief executive of The EV Network, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Ingleton Wood to outline our vision and take the first step towards building our game-changing ultra-fast EV charging stations.

“We are fiercely committed to delivering our ambitious net-zero strategy for all our schemes, from the construction process through to the green energy supplier we select for each site.

“We have spent the last few years working together with Ingleton Wood to develop a concept that can be implemented easily at a range of sites across the UK to ensure we are able to deliver the net-zero infrastructure required to drive the nation’s ultra-fast EV revolution.”

Ingleton Wood is one of the largest property and construction consultancies covering Central England, East Anglia, London and the South East, with offices in Colchester, Norwich, Cambridge, Billericay, Oxford and London. Its services include architecture, building surveying, building services engineering, planning, interior design, civil and structural engineering, quantity surveying, project management and health and safety.

For more information about Ingleton Wood’s services, visit www.ingletonwood.co.uk

To learn more about The EV Network (EVN) and its UK rollout, visit www.theevnetwork.com