Leading financial services company Hitachi Capital has just announced a £10m investment in Gridserve Sustainable Energy LTD. Back in December, Gridserve opened the first of 100 electric forecourts to EV drivers. The site at Braintree in Essex features 36 electric vehicle chargers as well as the usual cafes and shops you’d expect to find at a service station.
This new investment will not only help Gridserve expand its offering but it also reflects Hitachi Capital UK’s confidence in the business. Over the course of 2020 Hitachi Capital UK has funded over £24m in Gridserve projects, including funding to help deliver the Braintree Electric Forecourt®.
Robert Gordon, CEO of Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC, said: “Our collaboration with Gridserve to deliver sustainable energy marks a breakthrough in delivering the world-class infrastructure the UK needs in order to accelerate electric mobility.
“Combining our financial strength and motor industry expertise with Gridserve’s leading renewable energy work is a perfect partnership to create a new revolutionary green energy future. Our intention is to become a market leader for EV adoption and today’s announcement, along with our commitment that 20% of our assets will support sustainable business projects over the next five years, shows our determination to deliver on that promise.”
This investment by Hitachi Capital UK is aligned to its wider vision of supporting projects that go towards delivering a net-zero carbon economy.
Toddington Harper, CEO of Gridserve Sustainable Energy Ltd, commented: “Having Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC as a shareholder in Gridserve represents a major milestone and landmark moment in Gridserve’s journey to deliver sustainable energy and move the needle on climate change.
“Delivering the UK’s first Electric Forecourt with net-zero carbon energy provided by Clayhill Solar Farm, as well as launching the UK’s first net-zero leasing business, is testament to the results and benefits we can deliver through our partnership, and we look forward to delivering many more Electric Forecourts and sustainable energy projects together in the months and years ahead.”
