Europa Wire: London Gatwick Unveils Advanced Electric Vehicle Charging Station in World-First Initiative000926

London Gatwick Unveils Advanced Electric Vehicle Charging Station in World-First Initiative

(IN BRIEF) London Gatwick Airport has made history by inaugurating the world’s first Electric Forecourt® – a dedicated electric vehicle (EV) charging station developed by GRIDSERVE. Situated on the approach to the South Terminal, this cutting-edge facility offers 30 charging bays, including 22 High Power chargers delivering up to 350kW of power, capable of adding 100 miles of range in just five minutes. All charging bays are powered by 100% net zero energy, and the site features amenities such as high-speed Wi-Fi, a lounge area, Costa Coffee, a convenience store, and an interactive EV experience area. London Gatwick aims to have 60% of journeys to and from the airport be zero or ultra-low emissions by 2030 and has accelerated its commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions for its own operations by 2030.
(PRESS RELEASE) PARIS, 10-Jan-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — London Gatwick has become the first international airport to open an Electric Forecourt®, a dedicated electric vehicle (EV) charging station, with the new GRIDSERVE facility available for all to use from today.
The brand-new site, located on the Ring Road South approach to London Gatwick’s South Terminal, is one of the most advanced EV charging facilities in the world, hosting 30 charging bays, including 22 High Power chargers with up to 350kW of power – some of the fastest chargers publicly available today, capable of adding 100 miles of range in only five minutes. The new chargers increase charging capacity at the airport five-fold and are accessible to all EV drivers including passengers, London Gatwick staff and the local community.
All charging bays are powered by 100% net zero energy, with the fastest chargers capable of adding up to 100 miles of range in 10 minutes. Alongside high-speed Wi-Fi, a lounge area, Costa Coffee, Little Fresh convenience store and an interactive EV experience area, drivers can also speak to a GRIDSERVE EV Guru to gain advice on which EV may best suit their needs, and take the opportunity to test drive an EV.
The new GRIDSERVE facility follows the opening of London Gatwick’s new-look train station in November, doubling the concourse space, widening platforms and adding new lifts and escalators. These projects, alongside the airport helping to fund new hydrogen buses on the local Metrobus network and investing in doubling the Gatwick-Reading train service, contribute towards London Gatwick’s ambition for 60% of journeys to and from the airport to be zero or ultra-low emissions, by 2030.
Following VINCI Airports flight plan to net zero emission and to contribute to decarbonize the whole air mobility value chain, London Gatwick has recently achieved Level 4+ ‘Transition’ of the Airport Carbon Accreditation scheme – the only institutionally-endorsed, global carbon management certification programme for airports.
Earlier this year, London Gatwick accelerated its commitment to be net zero for its own Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2030, 10 years ahead of its previous commitment. This ambition is in line with all other airports operated by VINCI Airports in the European Union.
Bronwen Jones, Development Director, London Gatwick said: “We are proud to be the first international airport to open a GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourt®. The charging station has been placed in a strategic location and will be available to millions of passengers, commuters, staff, residents and businesses that pass through the area each year. We are making sustainability part of everything we do here at London Gatwick and we are committed to creating a low-carbon economy by providing new infrastructure that everyone can use, so together we can reduce emissions. As we invest in our long-term, future growth additions such as GRIDSERVE are vital to London Gatwick’s ecosystem.”
Toddington Harper, CEO, GRIDSERVE said: “As we launch our third Electric Forecourt® at London Gatwick, we mark a significant milestone in the evolution of sustainable transportation. We are excited to open our first charging facility at an international airport and help London Gatwick on its journey to net zero. Our purpose at GRIDSERVE is to deliver sustainable energy on the scale needed to move the needle on climate change. By creating a destination where people can not only charge but learn more about EVs, we can give drivers the confidence to switch to electric. We look forward to welcoming current and potential EV drivers to our new London Gatwick Electric Forecourt®.”
About VINCI AirportsThe world’s leading private airport operator, VINCI Airports operates more than 70 airports in 13 countries. Thanks to its expertise as a global integrator, VINCI Airports develops, finances, builds and manages airports by providing its investment capacity and its know-how in optimizing operational performance, modernizing infrastructure and managing their operations and environmental transition. VINCI Airports is the first airport operator to have committed to an international environmental strategy in 2016, to achieve the goal of net zero emissions across its entire network by 2050.
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SOURCE: VINCI