Electric vehicle chargers arrive at Straiton Retail Park in Scotland as part of new rapid charging network

Owners of electric vehicles (EVs) will be able to charge their cars as they shop as charging points arrive at Straiton Retail Park in Midlothian, Scotland.

Peel NRE has installed four charging bays for EVs, including a rapid charger, at the Peel L&P Retail Park-owned site at Straiton Mains, off the A702/City of Edinburgh bypass.

The new technology is part of Drive Energi, a new joint venture between Peel NRE and Box Energi to build, own and operate one of the largest retail-located rapid charging networks in the UK.

The charging bays are located at The Terrace, a £13 million development of 25,500 sq ft of retail space which completed last month with the opening of Starbucks.

The Tritium 50kW rapid charger will typically charge an EV to 80% in 35 minutes depending on battery capacity and existing charge, helping drivers to add up to 100 miles of range.

Three Alfen Eve Single 7kW chargers at the site will recharge a compatible EV with a 40kWh battery in four to six hours.

The chargers will be hosted on the GeniePoint app with the 50kW rapid charger supporting contactless payments. All chargers will be available on ‘pay as you go’ tariffs (£0.30p/kWh) plus up to a £1 connection fee.

Peel NRE has also recently installed two EV charging points at its Trafford Retail Park, off Junction 10 of the M60 Manchester ring road within its TraffordCity development, close to the Trafford Centre.

Jonathan Burley, Commercial Director at Peel NRE, part of Peel L&P, said: “There is a growing interest in electric vehicles and our joint venture with Box Energi will help to provide the infrastructure needed to support this demand across the UK as well as at our own sites.

“The new charging points at our retail parks, including our first rapid chargers, are a welcome addition to our already growing portfolio of electric vehicle charging points and we will continue to look for more locations to help the country achieve its net zero targets.”

Julian Wilkinson, Director of Peel L&P Retail Parks added: “As we continue to improve and reinvest in our parks, we’re pleased to be working with Drive Energi to bring charging points to The Terrace to time perfectly with the project reaching completion and for our customers to use whilst they shop.”

Peel NRE, part of Peel L&P, launched in January 2021 with a strengthened focus on natural resources and energy development activity. It combines the skills of Peel L&P’s former Environmental, Energy and Water teams to help drive the nation’s clean growth agenda. More at www.peellandp.co.uk/peelnre

Photo: Image of an electric vehicle charging point at Trafford Retail Park. Similar bays have been installed at Straiton Retail Park.

About Drive Energi

Drive Energi is a joint venture between Peel NRE and Box Energi. A Charge Point Operator (CPO) of Rapid DC and Fast AC Electric Vehicle (EV) charge points, working alongside large property owners, equipment manufacturers, technology providers and installers to build, own and operate a nationwide EV charge point network. www.driveenergi.com

About Box Energi

Box Energi is an energy infrastructure investment and development company helping the UK meet its targets for the adoption of electric vehicles and net zero emissions by 2050. It is at the forefront of a global transition in energy, electric vehicle charging, and clean power infrastructure.