Sports equipment retailer Decathlon has secured a deal with charging network provider Be.EV that will result in new charging bays set up in its car parks.
As a result of the deal, Be.EV’s “ultra-rapid” electric vehicle chargers will be added to select stores across the UK.
It is the first charging network deal Decathlon UK has secured and the first installation is set to be at the retailer’s Stockport site, which is one of its largest in the country – spanning over 52,000 sq ft. A total of 16 charging bays will be placed at the location.
Be.EV said its Kempower chargers will allow drivers to charge their vehicle to 80% in as little as 20 minutes. The charging network has been chosen, partly because the speed available at the bays matches Decathlon’s customer average dwell time of circa 30 minutes.
According to the charging network provider, the bays feature “unique load-balancing abilities, meaning they can intelligently distribute energy supply between vehicles according to capacity and demand”.
Backed by a £110 million investment from Octopus Energy Generation, a renewable energy investor, Be.EV wants to accelerate the implementation of electric vehicle charging facilities across the UK.
Asif Ghafoor, CEO & co-founder of Be.EV, commented: ”We’re pleased to be partnering with such a high profile partner to deliver their EV strategy.
“Decathlon customers deserve reliable EV charging, and our state of the art charging infrastructure will bring high-quality charging to sites across the UK.”
He added: “Other retailers should be taking note. As more and more people choose to drive electric vehicles, they’ll naturally gravitate to those brands that offer convenient charging whilst browsing their stores.”
Chris Allen, UK sustainability & circular economy leader at Decathlon UK, added: “Introducing ultra-rapid EV charging solutions at select stores in partnership with Be.EV exemplifies our commitment to responsible practices that can help contribute to a better environment.”
The charging hub at Stockport is expected to be completed in April 2024.
[Image credit: Be.EV]
