Be.EV is marking the opening of its new Manchester Charging Oasis in Failsworth by offering the cheapest EV charge in the UK this Saturday (21 June).

Drivers will only pay 1p/kWh all day at the brand-new site, which hosts twelve 300kW ultra-rapid charging bays, meaning they’re guaranteed to get a full charge for under £1.

Going forwards, the site will charge 50p/kWh, making it the cheapest ultra-rapid charging site in Manchester, according to Asif Ghafoor, CEO of Be.EV.

The site, located on the corner of Reliance Street and Oldham Road (Manchester, M40 3AX), is one of the first projects of its kind to repurpose a former petrol station into a modern EV charging hub in the UK.

Be.EV has invested £4m to develop the site and has only used local suppliers in its construction.

The land previously housed a derelict petrol station for over 15 years, but is now home to an ultra-rapid charging hub that allows drivers to add up to 325 miles of range in a 20-minute stop. The site includes two extra-long bays, an accessible bay and four waiting bays where drivers can park while waiting for a charger.

The site is also home to a new Caffè Nero Express, the latest addition to the group’s global footprint. Visitors to the launch event on 21 June will get a free coffee or hot drink from Caffè Nero, as well as a free ice cream.

The site is in a prime location for local EV drivers along with the estimated 26,000 commuters who pass by the site every day.

Failsworth forms part of the ‘Northern Gateway’, one of the six key growth zones outlined in Greater Manchester’s 10-year industrial strategy, and the Manchester Charging Oasis is the latest step in the area’s extensive transformation. The site features a top layer of tarmac made from recycled tyres, as well as solar panels and recycled bricks as part of the Caffè Nero Express. Recycled water from drainage is also being used in the wildflower garden and trees onsite will also generate a net biodiversity gain of 21.2%.

Asif Ghafoor, CEO of Be.EV, said: “This site will change ultra-rapid public charging forever. It’s been designed to give drivers exactly what they want – not only amenities to give them a break from driving, but also trees, wildflowers and nature that makes drivers excited to come here and charge.

“We can’t wait to see members of the local community and EV drivers at our event on Saturday, which is why we’re giving them the cheapest EV charging anywhere in the country to celebrate.”