Be.EV to install 32 chargers across Greater Manchester

A £1m deal will see the electric vehicle charging infrastructure provider deliver 16 charging bays at Sale Water Park, while the firm also received the go-ahead to create a hub off Oldham Road.

Sale Water Park

The 152-acre parkland and lake will host the largest ultra-rapid EV charging hub in Greater Manchester as a result of the £1m deal between the water park and Be.EV.

Be.EV will install 16 EV charging bays to deliver a combined power of 1.2MW, capable of charging 400 cars a day.

The project is the latest in Be.EV’s wider collaboration with Trafford Council, which has already seen more than 41 chargers go live across the borough.

Trafford Council will retain ownership of the site when the chargers go live in August, while Be.EV will own and maintain the charging hub.

This deal marks an important step in the council’s mission to ensure that every Trafford resident lives within 10 minutes of an EV charger.

Asif Ghafoor, chief executive of Be.EV, said: “The unique technology will make it easier than ever for visitors looking to charge their cars whilst out on the water, enjoying the scenery, or simply taking a break from travelling on the motorway.

“The site is also a testament to Trafford Council’s ambition to have a real impact on Greater Manchester and take the necessary steps towards a net zero future.”

Cllr Aidan Williams, executive member for climate change at Trafford Council, said: “Since the council declared a climate emergency in 2018, we have committed to a range of activities in an effort to achieve zero carbon status for the borough as soon as possible.

“This includes the delivery of projects that encourage people to make more journeys by bike, on foot, or using public transport”, he continued.

“However, we fully understand that this is not always possible and that it’s vital we support people to have cleaner, greener vehicles.”

A 1,900 sq ft store would be created alongside the EV charging bays. Credit: via planning documents

Oldham Road

Be.EV’s plans for a further 16 EV bays in the Newton Heath area of Manchester were approved last Wednesday.

Designed by Architect That, the scheme at the junction of Reliance Road and Oldham Road will feature two accessible bays, as well as two to accommodate larger goods vehicles.

Plans will also see the creation of a 1,900 sq ft convenience store to accommodate the users of the charging facilities.

Formerly a petrol station, the site has been vacant for more than 15 years.

Be.EV ran a public consultation on the proposals last September, with plans submitted in May.

Avison Young is the planning consultant for the scheme. Also on the project team is landscape architect DEP and electrical engineer Schneider Electric.

Learn more about the plans by searching for application number 136359/FO/2023 on Manchester City Council’s planning portal.

Elsewhere in Manchester, Be.EV has partnered with Northern Group to install two rapid electric vehicle chargers on Wilmslow Road in Didsbury. These rapid chargers have the ability to charge a typical electric car to 80% in 20 minutes to an hour, compared to four to six hours on a 7kW fast charger.

“We’ve seen an increase in demand for EV charging, and realised how beneficial it would be, not only for the environment, but also for our tenants to have the convenience of easy access to electric chargers at our developments,” said Northern Group chief operating officer Paul Dobbs. “Providing a service of this high quality is all part of our mission to future-proof our sites and ensure that they’re just as efficient in 30 years as they are today.”