Be.EV recently announced it will invest £20 million to install over 200 ultra-rapid EV charging bays in the United Kingdom. The new chargers will be installed at 22 Schroders Capital-managed properties. Schroders Capital manages private market investments for its clients and owns real estate properties, including commercial real estate. The new chargers will be located at retail sites with stores such as IKEA, Starbucks, Marks & Spencer, etc., and some leisure parks.
In May, Be.EV made an announcement about its transformation of a derelict petrol station into an EV charging hub.
Be.EV CEO Asif Ghafoor answered some questions for CleanTechnica about the new chargers.
More than 200 ultra-rapid EV charging bays will be installed. Does bay here mean charging port or does each bay have multiple ports? If so, what is the total number of charging ports?
When we say a ‘Charging Bay’, we mean how many places drivers can simultaneously charge. So, whilst there may be some more connectors (with some bays having CCS and CHAdeMO with the option of either), there will be over 200 bays which allow for charging all at once.
What kind of chargers will be installed and what is the charging rate?
Be.EV will install ultra-rapid Kempower chargers (up to 300 kW) capable of delivering up to 325 miles of range in as little as 20 minutes, which are perfect for drivers looking for a quick top-up on longer journeys.
Where will the chargers be installed and how long will it take to install them all?
The chargers will be installed across the UK, with many of these in the South and in and around London, solidifying Be.EV’s status as a national EV charge point operator.
The first of these sites is scheduled to go live by Q3 2026, and the full portfolio is scheduled to be rolled out by Q1 2027.
Will EV drivers be able to pay for charging with credit/debit cards, apps or both?
Yes. Be.EV supports as many easy ways to pay for charging as possible.
That means the tap of a Contactless bank card, Apple Pay or Google Pay; popular roaming partners like Octopus Electroverse, Allstar Chargepass, Plugsurfing, Shell Recharge and more; or the Be.EV app where drivers have live session control, easy receipts, loads of great charging features and more ways to save whilst charging with Be.EV.
Do EV drivers tend to do other things while charging in public that mean they are spending money?
Yes. A survey last year found 57% of drivers who use a public charger will go shopping or visit a cafe while charging their vehicle.
How will EV drivers find the new Be.EV chargers?
Drivers can find Be.EV chargers in all their favourite places. This means places like Zap-Map, Electroverse, Google Maps, their in-car navigation, the Be.EV app and many more. They’ll also be unmistakably big and green, so easy to spot when nearby.
Are you expecting an increase in new EV registrations in the UK in 2025?
Registrations of new EVs are expected to grow by 31% in 2025, presenting a significant opportunity for retail parks that install EV chargers now. Those that wait too long to install EV chargers will find it very difficult to attract EV drivers to their sites.
How many chargers does Be.EV currently operate in the UK and how many more will be added to their network this year?
Be.EV currently operates a growing network of over 800 live charging bays across the UK, a figure expected to reach 1,600 by the end of 2025.
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