BP’s first ultra-fast EV-charging site in the UK completed by Welsh construction company

Premier Forecourts and Construction, a specialist in forecourts and diverse construction projects, has completed works at a BP site at Cranford near Heathrow airport, providing BP Chargemaster’s first ultra-fast electric vehicle (EV) chargers to be added to its nationwide charging network, which is already the UK’s largest.

Swansea-based Premier Forecourts and Construction was appointed by BP as principal contractor to coordinate all site-based activities and subcontractors, provide monitoring and reporting on progress, as well as manage health and safety at the Cranford site.

The completion of the Cranford project for BP Chargemaster, the UK’s biggest name in electric vehicle charging, has enabled operation of the first two 150kW chargers at a BP retail site. The two chargers are the first of a planned network of hundreds of ultra-fast electric vehicle chargers at BP sites across the UK.

The chargers will allow drivers of most pure electric vehicles to charge them as fast as possible, with expected dwell times of around 10-12 minutes, making the refuelling experience compatible to that of drivers of petrol and diesel cars.

Formerly the construction division of The Premier Group, Premier Forecourts and Construction was acquired by a new owner during April this year, enabling the company to grow and diversify into other areas of construction, in addition to its specialist forecourt work. Its work base within the electrical vehicle charging sector has significantly increased in recent years, showcasing its successful expansion into new markets.

Steve Evans, managing director of Premier Forecourts and Construction, said:

“We are thrilled to be expanding our electric vehicle charging portfolio through working with BP on the BP Chargemaster programme. With our vast experience on highly specified forecourt projects, facilitating the works for the first ultra-fast electric vehicle chargers at BP’s Cranford site and solidifying our work in sustainable energy sector is a natural progression for us.

“BP Chargemaster’s ultra-fast chargers will support the rapidly growing electric vehicle market and we are proud to be a part of this transformation in travel. The project will provide greater opportunities for us in the future, particularly as the market grows and the potential for upgrading sites will increase. We are confident that eventually there will be more electric chargers than fuel pumps, which will boost a low carbon and sustainable future for travel.”