First EV hub opens at M7-managed retail park

M7 Real Estate has launched the first of a planned 50 electric vehicle charging hubs.

The European real estate investment manager and its parent company Oxford Properties last year joined forces with sustainable infrastructure company SSE to develop up to 50 charging stations installed on sites managed by M7, including 20 owned by Oxford Properties.

Josh Tyler, asset manager at M7, said: “With customers placing increasing importance on sustainability, we want our retail parks to support the adoption of electric vehicles.”

The first charging hub was opened at Gapton Hall Retail Park in Great Yarmouth and features 10 bays with a mix of 150kW rapid charging bays and 22kW bays. A further five hubs will be constructed in the initial phase of the project on locations in Ipswich, Poole, Hayes, Colchester, and Chelmsford.

SSE plans to build 500 EV charging hubs powered by traceable, renewable energy in the UK and Ireland by 2030.

Pictured above (l-r) Keven Welstead, senior director, SSE, Sir Brandon Lewis, Great Yarmouth MP, Josh Tyler, asset manager, M7