Mitchells & Butlers to host rapid EV charging network

Pub and restaurant chain Mitchells & Butlers is set to install up to 200 rapid electric vehicle (EV) chargers across its UK estate, as part of a partnership with BP's Chargemaster arm.


Mitchells & Butlers to host rapid EV charging network

The first 50 chargers are due to be installed within the next three months 

Under the partnership, BP Chargemaster will install its “Ultracharge” EV charging points at up to 200 of Mitchells and Butlers’ UK sites, with the first 50 installations set to take place before the end of October.

All of the 50kW chargers will be supplied with 100% renewable electricity and will be made available to the general public and Mitchells & Butlers staff alike on both a pay-as-you-go and subscription model basis. The technology is allegedly capable of charging most fully electric cars from 0% to 80% within 30 minutes.

The move comes after Mitchells & Butlers trialled the EV charging infrastructure at a select number of its pubs earlier this year.

Indeed, BP Chargemaster’s own research has found that the presence of charging points made visiting a leisure, hospitality or retail site more likely for 95% of drivers using fully electric or plug-in-hybrid models. Its study additionally found that most EV drivers who charge in public places are likely to do so more than once a month, creating regular footfall for the businesses hosting charge points.

“We recognise the importance of providing somewhere for EV users to charge their cars, whilst also giving them the opportunity to stop off for a coffee, or even a bite to eat, which is how our pubs and restaurants will play a vital part,” Mitchells & Butlers’ head of supplier management Richard Turner said.

“With a large number of our sites being located either on or near main roads, we will be able to provide prime locations for an EV owner to charge their car. This is a great opportunity for Mitchells & Butlers to increase footfall through our businesses, opening up some great locations to BP Chargemaster pay-as-you-go and subscription customers.”

Taking charge

Mitchells & Butlers is one of several businesses to have made plans to play host to Chargemaster technology since the firm was purchased by BP last summer.  

The company notably hosts Polar, the UK’s largest public charging network, consisting of more than 7,000 charging points, 450 of which are rapid chargers. Its clients include the likes of the London Fire Brigade, Highways England, University Hospital North Midlands and BP itself.

With research repeatedly concluding that the expansion of the UK’s EV charging infrastructure is not matching pace with the growth in EV sales, BP Chargemaster is among a string of charging ventures to have succeeded through partnerships with businesses and local authorities in recent times.

Last week saw rival firm Engenie confirm its plans to install more than 2,000 rapid EV charging points across the UK by 2024, doubling the national rapid charger stock. These charging points will be publicly available and hosted at locations such as shopping centres, retail parks, pubs, restaurants and leisure centres. Engenie’s largest clients include the likes of M7 Real Estate and Marston’s – the latter of which is aiming to host 400 chargers across its UK-wide estate

Elsewhere, IONITY — a joint venture with the single aim of creating a pan-European “super” network of rapid EV chargers – is making strong progress towards its 2020 vision of completing 400 High-Power Charging (HPC) stations. The venture, co-founded by  BMW Group, Daimler AG, Ford and Porsche’s parent company Volkswagen (VW) in November 2017, is specifically targeted at drivers making long-distance journeys.

Sarah George

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