Be.EV appoints Avison Young to find sites for ‘green oasis’ EV charging hubs in the city region
Avison Young has been appointed by electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure provider Be.EV to find sites for EV chargers and charging hubs across the Liverpool City Region. The goal: have at least four hubs under development by the end of 2022 and 25 sites secured for a mix of charging facilities.
Avison Young was previously appointed by Be.EV earlier this year to find sites across Greater Manchester, where Be.EV already operates the largest public charging network, and will now be consulting with public sector bodies, private landlords, developers and other commercial organisations to identify sites across Merseyside, to urgently address the region’s lack of charging infrastructure.
The North West currently has one of the country’s lowest numbers of EV chargers per 100,000 of population. Many households do not have access to off-street parking – a significant barrier to EV uptake across the region. A rapid roll-out of public charging infrastructure is therefore key to driving EV adoption.
Asif Ghafoor, CEO of Be.EV, said: “Merseyside is lacking the charging infrastructure it needs to embrace mass EV adoption and make the city region greener. I am pleased to be working with the AY team in my home city to develop destination charging and on-the-go hubs. Our hubs will not just help boost EV uptake, they will transform neighbourhoods by abandoning the concrete forecourt model in favour of pleasant, green spaces.
“We are going to develop a much-needed, concentrated network of charging infrastructure in the region, which by the end of 2022 will result in at least four Be.EV hubs in development and 25 charging sites secured across Merseyside.”
According to Avison Young’s Ten Trends for a Zero Carbon World report, EVs will act as a key part of the UK’s plan to reduce carbon emissions in urban environments where public transport infrastructure is lacking and driving remains a crucial part of daily life for many.
The report, published earlier this year, suggests that EVs are “on the fast track to mainstream adoption”, with sales expected to rise by 49% in 2021 due to growing consumer demand and the phasing out of petrol and diesel car models by the UK government.
Jonathan Lowe, director at Avison Young in Liverpool, said: “We welcome the search for more EV charging sites across the Liverpool City Region. A widespread adoption of electric vehicles is a vital part of the UK’s efforts to achieving its carbon-neutral target in 2028 and our extended partnership with Be.EV aims to make owning an electric vehicle a much more feasible option.
“We are currently seeking potential charging sites that will provide landowners and developers with a new and exciting revenue-generating opportunity and we would urge anybody who would like to find out more about Be.EV to get in touch with one of the team.” Landowners looking to find out more information should contact Avison Young’s Liverpool office.
