Property company Ediston is to roll out rapid EV charging to its retail sites across the UK under a tie-up with Osprey Charging Network.

The partnership will open up rapid destination charging to customers visiting stores such as Aldi and Costa

The partnership, which includes plans for two high-power charging hubs, will open up rapid destination charging to customers visiting stores such as Aldi and Costa.

Initially, 10 sites will go live, each hosting up to six 75kW Tritium chargers. 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 using the same blueprint, but the network will also expand under Ediston’s expected acquisition of retail parks.

Destination charging at retail parks is expected to play a major role in helping drivers shift to EVs, in particular those without access to charging at home.

But as well as benefiting EV drivers, the deal enables Ediston to future-proof its portfolio for the growing demand for EV charging and brings an added incentive for customers to choose its sites.

Osprey will cover all costs associated with installing and servicing the rapid charging points while sharing the profits, minimising financial risk.

Graham Lind, head of retail warehouse asset management at Ediston, said: “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. 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.”

Patrick Sherriff, business development director at Osprey Charging, said that retail parks are prime locations for EV charging, allowing drivers to top up their EVs while making use of the retail facilities on site.

“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.”

It’s Osprey’s latest deal in the retail park sector, following previous announcements with Brookhouse Group, Reef, M7 and Northumberland Estates. More sites are due to open this year.

The announcements support Osprey’s plans to deliver 150 high-powered EV charging hubs by 2024 as part of a £75m investment programme.