Chargemaster opens first multi-brand EV experience centre

The UK’s first electric vehicle showroom has opened in Milton Keynes to provide information and advice to visitors.

Operated by Chargemaster, the Electric Vehicle Experience Centre, which is based in Centre: MK shopping centre, will be run by a team of professionally-trained EV gurus and will offer visitors the chance to test drive the latest electric cars.

Open seven days a week, the EV Experience Centre will educate visitors on the benefits of driving an EV, supporting Milton Keynes’ transformation into the UK’s first Go Ultra Low City.

From impartial advice on specific models, government grants available, different types of plug-in vehicle and charging options, the centre will cover every aspect of EV ownership.

Jesse Norman MP, roads minister said, “We awarded £9 million to Milton Keynes to encourage the take-up of ultra-low emission vehicles and it is great to see the city leading the way. There are now more than 100,000 ultra-low emission vehicles on our roads, and it is our ambition that nearly every car and van in the UK is zero-emission by 2050.

“We want to retain our position as a global leader in the development, manufacture and use of ultra-low emission vehicles and have committed to invest more than £600 million by 2020. Grants worth up to £4,500 are available off the price of new ultra-low emission cars, and I hope many more people will take up this offer.”

The centre will initially showcase models from BMW i, Kia, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Renault and Volkswagen.

In addition to expert advice on the different vehicle technologies, visitors will able to find out about local charging infrastructure, including the creation of two EV charging ‘hubs’ in Milton Keynes, free EV parking and grants for home and workplace charging.

Milton Keynes’ target is for 23 per cent of all new cars registered locally to be electric by 2021.

Brian Matthews, head of transport innovation at Milton Keynes Council, commented: “The EVEC is a centrepiece of our thrust to encourage the uptake of electric vehicles and is a good example of the innovation that Milton Keynes is using to lead the way in transport innovation. We are delighted to be working with Chargemaster and six founding car manufacturers to bring this about.”

David Martell, chief executive of Chargemaster added: “The opening of the EV Experience Centre is a landmark moment for electric vehicles in the UK. The next five years will see the uptake of EVs ramp up, as a wider choice of models come to market, with improved range and greater desirability.

“The EV Experience Centre will provide a great opportunity for those interested in electric vehicles to find out more and test drive one, which we are confident will encourage even more consumers to buy electric cars.”