Drive Energi and Greene King strike UK-wide EV Rapid Charger deal

Drive Energi, an electric vehicle (EV) Charge Point operator, has struck a deal with pub retailer, Greene King, who operates over 2,700 pubs, restaurants and hotels across the UK. 

The partnership, extending through to 2040, will see Drive Energi build, own and operate one of the UK’s largest retail located Rapid charging networks with the first locations going live across the North West before the end of 2020. 

The contactless payment enabled, Tritium 50kW DC charge points will be powered by renewable energy and available to use via a “Pay As You Go” tariff, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year with no subscription required. 

The charging points will be deployed nationwide across Greene King’s diverse property portfolio, including its Farmhouse Inns, Chef and Brewer and Hungry Horse brands. 

The deal will provide crucial EV charging infrastructure to bolster the UK Government’s commitment to support growth of green, zero emission technologies – including ending the sale of new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars by 2035. 

CEO of Drive Energi James Moat, says: “This is a significant milestone for Drive Energi and we are proud to be working in partnership with Greene King on this exciting project as the UK’s EV charging sector will play major role in leading a green recovery post-COVID-19. 

"We are committed to the roll-out of accessible public charging across the UK and drivers can expect to charge from over 300 Drive Energi locations by the end of 2021.”

The initial deployment will focus on sites across the North West which are expected to be fully operational by 2021, with the wider roll-out taking place in phases across the UK over the next three years. 

Tony Hodgson, Head of Estates at Greene King, adds: “We’ve been working hard developing our sustainability plans as we continue to build a greener business. With more people buying electric cars in a bid to be more environmentally friendly, we want to support our customers who come to dine or stay with us by offering electric charging ports in our pubs that are able to do so.”