A supermarket garage is set to install EV chargers, after it was given the go-ahead by the local council.

Motor Fuel Group (MFG), which operates Morrisons filling stations, has had plans to extend the site on Aschurch Road in Tewkesbury approved by Tewkesbury Borough Council.

Plans include a big extension to the existing petrol filling station's sales building and the creation of a charging zone, erection of EV chargers and installation of four covered jet wash bays.

The sales building will double in size from 116sq m gross internal floorspace to 233sq m.

The plans will mean parking for the filling station will reduce from 32 spaces to nine, but there will be eight covered EV charging bays installed with four EV charging points.

The covering letter supporting the planning application described the urgent need for more EV chargers. It said the Department for Transport report Taking Charge: The electric vehicle infrastructure strategy said the government expects a minimum of 300,000 public chargers by 2030, with the intention of installing chargers ahead of demand 'inspiring drivers who have not yet made the switch'.

Figures from a year ago (1.4.24) show there were just 59,670 public EV chargers. At the current installation pace, only 161,551 would be installed by 2030, with the 300,000 target not reached until 7.5 years later.

The letter continued: "At present, it is understood that the uneven spread of EV charging facilities significantly hinders the take-up of electric vehicles. En-route charging for longer journeys is crucial to support the switch to EV and reduce concerns about charge 'range anxiety'."

MFG is looking to roll out an extensive supply of EV charging facilities at existing Morrisons sites across the UK.

"...with the aspiration to make it as easy to charge your vehicle as re-fuelling with petrol or diesel. The aspiration of MFG is to provide access to convenient and affordable charging, regardless of where the driver lives."

As part of its proposals to upgrade EV facilities across the UK, MFG is also taking the opportunity to extend shops/ kiosks to provide an improved offer for visiting drivers.