As part of its commitment to invest £400 million in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure by 2030, independent forecourt operator Motor Fuel Group (MFG) plans to invest over £50 million in 2022 on dual-fuel and EV-only sites across its nationwide portfolio.
The investment will see MFG install over 350 ultra-rapid 150kW charging devices at 60 hubs across its MFG EV Power network. Beyond the 60 new hubs scheduled for opening in 2022, MFG will energise a further 20 sites in Q1 2022 that have been completed in the final months of 2021.
The MFG hubs will consist of between four and eight ultra-rapid 150kW chargers per site. The 150kW chargers can add 100 miles range in approximately 15 minutes, subject to the charging capability of individual car batteries. These will be augmented with 300kW+ chargers as vehicle battery technology improves, to maintain the fastest charging times across the MFG network.
While these charging speeds are beyond the capability of most EV models currently on the market, MFG is investing ahead of the curve to build drivers’ confidence in electricity as a fuel source and to support the government’s decarbonisation and sustainability agenda and emissions target of being net zero by 2050.
The investment in 2022 builds on the £40 million EV investment undertaken in 2021, which saw MFG significantly boost the national ultra-rapid EV charging infrastructure, as well as opening its flagship forecourt in Putney and the North-West of England’s first dedicated ultra-rapid EV-only site in Manchester.
“We have already invested significantly, and ahead of the curve, on EV charging across our portfolio. We have an ambitious roll-out programme for 2022 which is focused on our network throughout the UK,” said William Bannister, CEO at MFG.
In March last year, MFG announced that it plans to invest around £400 million in ultra-rapid 150kW and 350kW chargers across its UK network over the next ten years. MFG will install a total of around 3,000 ultra-rapid 150kW and 350kW EV chargers at roughly 500 sites by the end of 2030.
“Our EV sites are modern in design and provide a high-quality retail and consumer experience for the community and for motorists to use whilst charging their vehicles. We look forward to delivering on our strategic plans throughout 2022,” Bannister continued.
Alongside its investment in EV, MFG made a £50 million investment to improve its retail, food-to-go, and valeting offer to consumers in 2021. MFG’s investment will continue in the years ahead across its UK-wide network.
Furthermore, MFG was delighted to be voted the nation’s favourite new network and second favourite overall in Zap-Map’s public charging network rankings, as rated by EV drivers. The network also received the new ‘EV Driver Recommended’ badge. Despite only 10 months of operation, MFG’s new network received an overall rating of 4.2/5.
The survey found that customers rated MFG highly for its speedy chargers, facilities on the forecourt and a safe environment. Customers also found MFG’s chargers easy and reliable to use, with a simple payment service and MFG soon to become Zap-Pay enabled.
Only in its first year as a charge point operator (CPO), MFG expects to continue to invest in the MFG EV Power network and to improve service for customers by creating EV hubs with a leading retail offering and valeting services.
