An electric charging, net zero equivalent to a petrol station is to be developed at Gatwick.
Due to open in autumn 2022, the Gatwick Electric Forecourt will enable 36 Electric Vehicles to be charged simultaneously.
The facility will be located on the Ring Road South approach to the airport’s South Terminal and adjacent to the M23 with high-power chargers that can deliver up to 350 kW of charging power, capable of adding 100 miles of range in less than 10 minutes.
Multiple charging connectors will cater for all types of electric cars.
Other facilities will include a cafe, waiting lounge with free wi-fi, convenience supermarket, children’s play area and a dedicated educational space to increase awareness around electric vehicles.
The site will be supplied with low cost, 100% renewable net zero carbon energy generated by solar farms run by sustainable energy supplier Gridserve.
Gatwick chief commercial officer Jonathan Pollard said: “We are on a journey to create a low carbon economy, and Gatwick is keen to play an important role by providing new infrastructure that everyone can use, including a transformed and well-connected railway station, so that together we can start reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.
“Our new high-powered charging facility will help meet the increasing need for electric vehicle charging infrastructure at the airport, including the growing number of our passengers who own electric vehicles and need fast, convenient and effective charging facilities.
“The new charging infrastructure will also benefit people right across our community, including thousands of staff who live locally, businesses looking to introduce electric vehicle fleets – even those operating busses and trucks – and also local residents who may be considering buying an electric-powered car but were undecided due to the lack of charging facilities.”
Gridserve chief executive Toddington Harper added: “Gatwick isn’t just an airport, it’s an ecosystem of commuters, travellers, staff, taxi drivers, car rental companies, local residents and businesses, all culminating in a transport hub that hosts tens of millions of drivers every single year.
“The Gatwick Electric Forecourt will give these drivers and businesses the confidence to switch away from petrol and diesel cars, making electric journeys to and from one of the country’s most important transport hubs straightforward and sustainable.”