A new ‘UK-first’ net zero electric vehicle leasing business has launched, designed to bring the cost of driving electric well below that of petrol or diesel cars and minimise the environmental impact of EVs.

Developed by Gridserve in partnership with Hitachi Capital UK as the two firms also open their first Electric Forecourt, the new solution offers leasing on electric vehicles from brands including Volkwagen Group, Mercedes, Renault, DS, Nissan and BMW Group, with net zero carbon energy included in monthly leasing payments; meaning drivers can charge at Electric Forecourts without paying any additional costs.

As a result, Gridserve says its Electric Vehicle Solutions leasing service removes a key barrier to mass EV adoption, enabling people to accurately compare the cost of leasing a petrol or diesel vehicle, plus fuel, with an electric vehicle with fuel included.

It added that this reflects the true overall cost to the consumer, which in most cases clearly demonstrates a lower cost for EVs than petrol or diesel vehicles, and particularly supports those drivers without access to off-street parking, who would otherwise need to use typically more expensive public charging infrastructure.

The service also looks to answer any concerns over EV carbon emissions from supply chain processes through carbon offsetting with a tree planting organisation, which will plant 100 trees for every electric vehicle leased through the service.

The new service launches as Gridserve opens its first Electric Forecourt, funded by Hitachi Capital UK, Innovate UK and OZEV. Located in Braintree, Essex, it’s the first in a new network of over 100 Electric Forecourts, focused on low-cost, ultra-fast charging, backed by renewable energy and a convenient, driver-focused experience.

Electricity is generated from both the solar power canopies above the chargers and a network of hybrid solar farms, also run by Gridserve. There is also a 6MWh battery onsite which helps to balance the local energy grid and shift energy to periods when it is more valuable.

Drivers using the Electric Forecourt will initially pay 24p per kWh of energy (including VAT), said to be the lowest ultra-high power charging rates on the market today – Gridserve plans to introduce a tiered pricing structure in the future.

Toddington Harper, founder and CEO of Gridserve, said: “Together with our solar farms and Electric Forecourts, Gridserve Electric Vehicle Solutions completes our ‘sun-to-wheel’ infrastructure designed to deliver net zero carbon transport from 2020 onwards. By including the planting of 100 trees for every electric vehicle leased through the service and providing net zero carbon energy to charge all the vehicles, we’re making EV driving greener, cheaper and more straightforward than ever before.”

Gridserve has also said it’s interested in connecting with additional operators of fleet vehicles, developers, EV manufacturers, local authorities, and multiple other potential partners who share its vision in collaborating across its infrastructure, including Electric Forecourts, hybrid solar farms and remote power solutions.