Be.EV, one of the leading Charging Point Operators (CPOs) in the United Kingdom (UK), aims to achieve over a thousand charging points by the end of 2024.
“We have over 700 chargers, including those that are already active and those under construction. While our goal is to reach over a thousand by the end of this year, the process is slow,” comments Asif Ghafoor, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Be.EV, in a conversation with Mobility Portal Europe.
“In the UK, it’s not just about finding a site and building the station; it also involves working to find energy at that location,” explains Ghafoor.
Sometimes, the process of bringing energy to a site takes a long time.
The company operates throughout the UK, with a significant presence in the north, including Scotland, and installations in the south, such as London and Oxford.
Be.EV aims to “make life easier for EV users” by working with both local authorities and the private sector, placing a particular focus on building a public network of fast and ultra-fast charging stations.
To integrate charging into people’s daily lives, Be.EV strategically places its equipment in busy locations.
“We aim for drivers to use the chargers for a minimum of ten minutes and a maximum of a few hours,” acknowledges the CEO.
In recent times, the company has focused its efforts on building charging networks in communities.
“In Greater Manchester, we work with the local administration, as they have several car parks at the back of some shops and near parks,” states Ghafoor.
This project is one of the largest collaborations with the public sector.
It’s worth noting that the original contract in Greater Manchester was supported by the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) funding.
This fund provides capital financing to support the delivery of charging points and capacity financing to ensure that local authorities have the personnel and capacity to plan and deliver charging infrastructure.
However, Ghafoor acknowledges, “We found that there is too much private capital available to implement this network without the need for public administration funding, unless you are in an area where it is really difficult to obtain it, such as rural areas.”
Therefore, Be.EV is working with the private sector on various projects, including partnerships with Decathlon and Dobbies Garden Centres, the largest garden centre operator in the UK.
In terms of initiatives, noteworthy projects include collaboration with Derwent, where Be.EV has already installed equipment at two of the 20 sites they own.
Additionally, the company has partnered with the international car wash company IMO.
The first sites are already active in IMO Batley, IMO Newcastle, and IMO Bradford, offering the “Wash & Charge” service.
They are also planning to electrify IMO Carlisle, IMO Alfreton, IMO Nuneaton, and IMO Leigh.
Furthermore, ten ultra-fast charging stations will soon be installed at Abbey House Hotel & Gardens in Barrow-in-Furness.
Moreover, they are planning the first Be.EV Charging Green at Liverpool Shopping Park, featuring 16 bays offering ultra-fast charging, allowing electric vehicle batteries to be charged up to 80 per cent in less than 30 minutes.
On another front, they are installing another hub at the Gateway Center in Oldham.
Users can visit B&M or Aldi stores on-site while their cars charge with the latest 150-kilowatt ultra-fast charging technology.
“We also work with major property investors who own commercial park properties,” indicates the CEO.
Be.EV prioritises charging with “reliable” green energy
Octopus Energy collaborates with Be.EV to supply 100 per cent green electricity to all chargers.
“It’s important to build a network that is truly thinking about the future of communities. Energy is an important element. Therefore, by working with Octopus, we know where our energy comes from,” comments Asif Ghafoor.
“It’s not just about buying green energy, but knowing if it really comes from a solar or wind source,” he adds.
For users who decide to invest in an electric vehicle, it’s crucial that they have the confidence to know that the energy they are getting comes from a renewable source.
It’s worth noting that the agreement between both companies helped grow Be.EV’s public network to almost 300 equipments in just 12 months.
