British EV charging network Be.EV is driving a major transformation in the north of Greater Manchester with a four million pounds investment to develop the city’s first Charging Oasis in Failsworth.
The project not only expands public charging infrastructure but also marks a turning point in the urban regeneration of a long-neglected community.
The chosen site — a petrol station abandoned for more than 15 years — is being repurposed into a cutting-edge green charging forecourt, officially certified as a green site by Manchester City Council after undergoing thorough soil decontamination and tank removal.
The site will include 12 ultra-rapid chargers capable of delivering up to 300 kW, enabling EV drivers to add up to 520 kilometres of range in just 20 minutes, along with four waiting bays for queued vehicles.
A Caffè Nero Express is also set to open, offering a welcoming destination for drivers and local residents alike.
Electric mobility, economic stimulus and public health: a triple win
Strategically located between Manchester and Oldham, the Manchester Charging Oasis is expected to serve more than 26,000 daily commuters.
It’s projected that the development could boost local retail spending by up to 3% per year, offering a tangible economic uplift for the Failsworth community.
Beyond economics, the project plays a critical role in the region’s Clean Air Plan.
Air pollution is linked to an estimated 1,200 premature deaths annually in Greater Manchester and, if left unaddressed, could cost England up to 5.3 billion pounds by 2035.
“Every EV driver charging here is helping to clean the air we all breathe,” says Asif Ghafoor, CEO of Be.EV.
“This once-abandoned site will become a thriving community transport hub. By breathing new life into this space, we’re not only revitalising the area — we’re paving the way for greener, cleaner streets.”
Failsworth: a blueprint for urban green transition
The Charging Oasis exemplifies how decommissioned petrol stations can be repurposed to serve the green energy transition.
After a rigorous environmental clean-up, the Failsworth site is now one of the first former petrol stations in the UK to be certified for clean energy use — a model that could inspire similar projects nationwide.
Meeting Greater Manchester’s growing EV needs
With over 150,000 electric vehicles expected on the roads of Greater Manchester by 2038, infrastructure like this is vital. Be.EV — already one of the region’s leading charge point operators — is expanding its network to ensure equitable, accessible, and future-ready EV charging solutions.
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