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Last Updated on: 6th May 2025, 02:25 pm
Politics and public policy are important but they are not everything. The transition to sustainable transportation and energy continues despite attempts to stop it. The misinformation and disinformation may slow it somewhat, but overall, it simply is too critical for human health and the environment to be shut down. We, as consumers, do have an impact and many of us believe in scientific evidence, reasoning, logic, and facts. Those are just two of the reasons so many people are now interested in electric vehicles.
Some of the best feel-good sustainability news stories are the ones where a landfill is turned into a solar power farm, or old abandoned mines are as well, or, in this case, a derelict petrol station is transformed into an electric vehicle charging hub. Asif Ghafoor, CEO of Be.EV, answered some questions about it for CleanTechnica.
What is Be.EV and why was the Failsworth location selected?
Be.EV is the UK’s 4th top-rated large rapid/ultra-rapid EV charging network in the UK (as voted by EV drivers and revealed by Zapmap), established in Greater Manchester in 2019 and now operating across the whole of the UK. Be.EV engages with more than 50,000 members who play an active role in shaping their cleaner and greener neighborhoods of the future.
It 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. It is backed by £110 million from Octopus Energy Generation – the majority shareholder and one of Europe’s largest renewable energy investors – and a further £55 million from lenders NatWest and KfW IPEX-Bank. These green partnerships are powering Be.EV to accelerate the UK’s EV revolution by installing reliable and accessible EV charging hubs across the country.
The site itself, a disused petrol station along a major route between Manchester and Oldham, was selected because of how convenient the location is. EV drivers need ultra-rapid charging hubs along busy routes and in the hearts of communities, and this site serves both. With over 26,000 vehicles passing daily, it’s ideally placed to serve commuters looking to charge their vehicles while grabbing a coffee.
It was also selected to help boost the regeneration of Failsworth, with the project representing more than £4 m in investment by Be.EV. Be.EV is focused on customer and community over kit, providing EV charging to areas that have been underserved in the UK’s public charger roll-out so far.
Located within Greater Manchester’s ‘Northern Gateway’ — one of six priority growth zones in the region’s 10-year industrial strategy — the Manchester Charging Oasis will help to clean the air in the area and boost annual spending at nearby establishments by up to 3%, attracting investment for local businesses.
With the number of EV drivers in Greater Manchester expected to exceed 150,000 by 2038, developments like the Manchester Charging Oasis are vital to the region’s journey toward net zero.
When using a derelict petrol station, was there a process for ensuring that it is free of contaminants and safe for the public to use?
Yes — the site has undergone an extensive decontamination process to remove all the old petrol infrastructure and ensure the soil is environmentally safe.
The site has now been certified as a green site by Manchester City Council, confirming it’s now safe for the public.
This is one of the first EV charging sites in the UK to undergo decontamination of this kind, proving old sites that used to serve ICE vehicles can be repurposed to help to power the net zero transition.
How fast will the 12 new EV chargers be able to charge?
Each charger can deliver up to 300 kW, meaning drivers can add up to 325 miles of range in a 20-minute stop. With a Caffè Nero Express on site and its location along a key commuter route between Manchester and Oldham, this charging hub is ideal for commuters in need of a convenient, quick top-up during their journey whilst enjoying a cup of coffee.
To support growing demand, the site also includes four additional waiting bays that can be easily converted into charging bays if needed, which will offer up to 300 kW for 800V-class EVs and up to 150 kW for 400V-class EVs.
Will they be available 24/7?
Yes.
What kind of charging connectors will they have, and will they be compatible with most or all EVs?
The Manchester Charging Oasis is designed to accommodate both CCS and CHAdeMO vehicles, delivering up to 300 kW for 800V-class EVs and up to 150 kW for 400V-class models. The site will also feature wider bay spacing, an accessible charging bay, and two additional charging bays to enhance convenience. Whether you’re driving a Nissan Leaf, a Porsche Taycan, or a long-wheelbase electric van, the Oasis ensures a smooth, reliable charging experience whenever it’s needed.
Will the charging payment processing be done with user credit or debit cards or a smartphone app?
Drivers will be able to use contactless cards to pay, but drivers can also use the Be.EV app, which gives them live availability details and charging control to help them plan their journeys ahead of time.
Drivers will also enjoy complete flexibility when it comes to payment. Thanks to our roaming partnerships with providers like Octopus Electroverse, Allstar Chargepass, Plugsurfing, Zap-Pay, and many others, users can conveniently charge using their existing RFID card or preferred app. It’s all about making access to our stations as seamless and hassle-free as possible.
What will the Caffè Nero Express offer, and will the charging hub have public restrooms?
Our partnership with Caffe Nero will provide a hub where people can come together to provide high-quality, barista-made coffee to commuters and members of the local community. It will feature seating and a toilet as well.
About how many battery-electric vehicles are currently operating in the Manchester area?
The rise in electric vehicle (EV) usage across Manchester has been exciting to see. With the UK recently reaching the milestone of 100,000 public EV chargers, there’s real momentum behind the shift to cleaner transport — a clear sign we’re approaching mass-market adoption.
Projections suggest that by 2038, Manchester could have around 150,000 EV cars and light goods vehicles (LGVs) on its roads. Between 2009 and 2023 alone, Greater Manchester saw over 1 million new EVs registered – accounting for roughly 10% of the UK total. Within the region, Stockport is leading the charge among the ten boroughs, helping to position Greater Manchester as the fastest adopter of EVs in the country. It’s a promising outlook for both local infrastructure and the broader net-zero transition.
When will the new charging hub be completed?
The Manchester Charging Oasis is expected to be completed by the summer of this year.
Will any of the electricity provided by the chargers be sourced from clean, renewable electricity generation?
We use 100% renewable electricity in all our chargers from Octopus Energy — this sits at the core of our values to make transport cleaner.
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