Osprey Charging, one of the UK’s fastest-growing rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging networks has announced a major retail partnership with real estate specialists Ediston to install rapid EV charging devices across its portfolio of retail warehouse sites in the UK. The partnership aims to open up rapid destination charging to customers visiting major retail brands such as Aldi, The Food Warehouse and Costa millions of times per year.
Each of an initial ten sites will host up to six 75kW chargers, capable of adding 100 miles in as little as ten minutes. The first site is a hub located at Haddington Retail Park, East Lothian, currently under construction. Further sites are expected to go into construction throughout 2022, and further charging locations added to the partnership, in line with Ediston’s expected acquisition of retail parks.
By offering on-site rapid EV charging services at its retail warehouse parks, Ediston is hoping to future-proof its portfolio for the growing demand for EV charging, bringing an added incentive for customers to choose its sites and directly benefitting its tenants with increased footfall and dwell time. Osprey will cover all costs associated with installing and servicing the rapid charging devices while sharing the profits, minimising financial risk.
“Retail parks are prime locations for EV charging, allowing drivers to top up their EVs while making use of the retail facilities on site,” said Patrick Sherriff, Business Development Director at Osprey Charging.
“Forward thinking companies like Ediston are ensuring they stay ahead of the curve by ensuring their sites are equipped to meet the needs of the growing market of EV drivers. By ‘grabbing the grid’ and securing vital connections for rapid EV chargers before its competitors, Ediston is positioning its sites as the go-to shopping destinations for EV drivers.”
The announcement is Zap-Pay partner Osprey’s latest deal in the retail park sector, following previous announcements with Brookhouse Group, Reef, M7, Northumberland Estates and more due to open this year. The announcement supports Osprey’s plans to rollout 150 high powered charging hubs by 2024 as part of a £75 million investment programme.
Each of the initial ten sites will host up to six high powered 75kW chargers.
Registrations of plug-in vehicles increased by 74% in 2021 compared to 2020, with EVs expected to overtake petrol and diesel vehicles in the UK car market within the next few years. Indeed, as EVs continue to grow exponentially ahead of the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles, it is safe to say a significant proportion of the vehicle visiting Ediston’s sites will be electric in the near future.
“With EV registrations increasing year-on-year, we’re fast approaching a new era of electric transport. On-site EV charging at retail parks will soon become an essential offering and customers will expect to be able to charge their vehicles wherever they shop and our tenants will expect us to provide the infrastructure which enables them to do so,” said Graham Lind, Head of Retail Warehouse Asset Management at Ediston.
“Osprey has a proven record in delivering reliable, easy to use and rapid chargers and provide the perfect solution to attract the rapidly growing number of EV driving customers to our sites. ”
Indeed, the charging network was recently voted one of the UK’s favourite public charging networks in Zap Map’s annual survey of EV drivers.
The upcoming charging sites will utilise cutting-edge Tritium 75kW chargers, which balance the available power to maximise delivery to the car, giving a better consumer experience, less waiting time and increased footfall to the retail sites.
