Solar powered electric forecourt set to be built in Essex

The first of more than 100 solar-powered forecourts set to be built in the UK has been announced for Braintree, Essex.

British firm Gridserve is behind the project and envisions the eventual replacement of petrol stations with the sites that have 24 charging spaces for electric vehicles.   

Future versions will be found alongside busy roads to let most electric and hybrid vehicles fully charge in less than 30 minutes.

Some smaller cars with high-speed charging can be fully topped up in just ten minutes, developers claim.

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More than 100 solar-powered forecourts are being planned alongside busy roads and will allow for all vehicles to be recharged in less than 30 minutes. 'Airport-style' lounges will provide travellers with shops, toilets and cafes to pass the time as their batteries recharge

More than 100 solar-powered forecourts are being planned alongside busy roads and will allow for all vehicles to be recharged in less than 30 minutes. 'Airport-style' lounges will provide travellers with shops, toilets and cafes to pass the time as their batteries recharge

The first of more than 100 solar-powered forecourts set to be built in the UK has been announced for Braintree, Essex. Gridserve is behind the project and envisions the eventual replacement of petrol stations with the sites that have 24 charging spaces for vehicles

The first of more than 100 solar-powered forecourts set to be built in the UK has been announced for Braintree, Essex. Gridserve is behind the project and envisions the eventual replacement of petrol stations with the sites that have 24 charging spaces for vehicles

WHAT ARE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO ERADICATE PETROL AND DIESEL CARS?

At present, the Government's ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars is set to come into effect by 2040.

Scotland has a different set of guidelines, indicating the switch-over and ban of petrol or diesel vehicles should happen by 2032. 

The Committee on Climate Change believes the date should be brought forward to 2030 – or 2035 at the very latest.

It predicts electric cars will be roughly the same price as their traditionally powered counterparts by around 2024 to 2025.

Current targets in England mean internal combustion engines will still be n the road in 2050, producing large amounts of greenhouse gases. 

'Airport-style' lounges will be built as part of the £1 billion ($1.31bn) project, to provide travellers with shops, toilets and cafes to pass the time as their cars refuel.

Gridserve says more than 80 sites have already been confirmed, with more in the pipeline. Braintree will likely be the first of many set to revolutionise the UK's motoring landscape. 

Construction at sites in York and Hull is also expected to start before the end of 2019.

A lack of charging points, long-wait times and small ranges has limited the spread of

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