Manchester City Council has given the green light to the city's first large-scale green charging ‘Oasis’ for electric vehicles (EVs).
The project will transform an former petrol station site on the corner of Reliance Street and Oldham Road into a forecourt and community hub.
Included in the design is a commercial space supported by solar panels and a retail building and forecourt roof featuring native British species, specifically selected for the region. A wildflower garden will form a natural boundary along one side of the site.
There will be space for up to 16 vehicles to charge with accessible and van-suitable spaces, as well as secure charging for electric bicycles.
The chargers will be 'ultra-rapid' - capable of charging a typical EV in 10 minutes, compared to 4-6 hours on a 7kW fast charger - and be powered using renewable energy from Octopus Energy.
Cllr Tracey Rawlins, executive member for environment and transport for Manchester City Council, said: 'As Manchester continues our journey to become a net zero carbon city by 2038, initiatives such as this that increase access to handy charge stations across our city are important to support drivers to make a switch - ensuring electric vehicles are a viable option.'
Mature trees will surround the charging ring and dominate the design, bringing with them further animal & birdlife to the site.
Works at the Reliance Street site will be undertaken by Be.EV and will include significant groundworks to remove contamination from the former petrol station.
Permeable surfaces will be installed to collect rainwater to be repurposed for the planted areas and service the commercial space.
Be.EV maintains the largest network of public EV chargers in Greater Manchester. Further ‘Oasis’ projects are planned across the country.
Be.EV CEO Asif Ghafoor said: 'Our plan for Reliance Street is truly innovative and reflects Be.EV’s ambition to lead the way in reimagining public infrastructure - creating great charging experiences for today and for the future.
'We worked with the talented team at Architect That to design a site that is not only functional but delivers regeneration in the local area, looks fantastic, and responds to the needs of the local community as it offers so much more than just charging.'
The UK announced its ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2030, three years ago. The sale of hybrid cars and vans that can drive a significant distance with no carbon coming out of the tailpipe will continue to be sold until 2035.
