Project Summary
The project explored models of financing, ownership and community benefit for a community-led EV charging Hub, using electricity generated by an adjacent solar farm on brownfield land on the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity’s (GWAAC) airbase in South Gloucestershire.
Background
In 2024 a Community Energy Fund Stage 1 grant was awarded for a comprehensive feasibility study into the development of an EV Charging Hub.
This project is linked to another GWAAC project to develop a solar farm that would supply the charging Hub on the airbase.
Our Role
In 2024 GWAAC was awarded a CEF Stage 1 (feasibility) grant funding of £40,000. Throughout the process support has been provided by the South West Net Zero Hub.
Location
Almondsbury, South Gloucestershire
Technology / What Happened
- The feasibility study found that there is space for 18 EV chargers plus ancillary accommodation.
- The land is suitable for an EV Hub, with 18,000 EVs per day passing nearby on the A38, M5 and M4. However the site will not be viable without alterations to the A38 to allow access to the site.
- The project applied for a CEF Stage 2 grant but was rejected on the grounds that it was too commercial. There is potential for the Hub to provide more support for the project through Project Development team.
- As no further public, community or charity funding has been secured, GWAAC have provisionally agreed to partner with a commercial EV operator to lead on the next phase of the project. Bullet points
Lessons Learnt
- The EV Hub’s main market would be passing trade rather than local people charging their EVs.
- The key risk to the project is site access from the A38. The project has engaged with South Gloucestershire Council’s Highways department and major works teams, submitted a pre-application request and worked with a specialist transport consultant.
- The planning pre-application fee was higher than expected.
Community Benefits
Once developed, the charging hub would provide:
- Long term income stream for GWAAC, helping to fund the lifesaving service relied on by so many people
- Essential infrastructure needed to persuade more people to switch from fossil fuel to electric vehicles.
- Access for local people and people driving by on the A38 and motorway to well-maintained public EV charging with a share of the profits flowing to a local charity
- A small contribution to de-carbonising private vehicles and improving local air quality.
Next Steps
This project is not complete, the results of the feasibility study indicate that it is suitable for further investment.
A part-community owned solar farm on the same site, is awaiting a decision on planning permission, if it goes ahead, the opportunities for a private wire from the solar farm to supply the EV Hub will continue to be explored through the next phase of development.
A new partnership with a commercial operator has been provisionally agreed. This could mean that the charging hub can ultimately be built, providing charging infrastructure for the local area and long-term income for GWAAC.
Banner image credit: Bristol Energy Co op