Manchester Electric – a new network of charge points – will be launched across Greater Manchester this autumn. There will be 300 charge points and six larger ‘Pod Centres’.
Manchester Electric will be a new network of state-of-the-art Pod Centres where people can buy a range of electric vehicles including cars, vans, scooters and bikes. There will also be centres where drivers can lease, hire and charge EVs, as well as being able to join an electric car club, shop or buy a coffee. Domestic appliances ╨ also known as smart charging systems ╨ that will enable drivers to charge their vehicles at home will also be available.
The Pod Centres will be in key sites including Manchester Airport, Manchester City Centre, Oldham, MediaCityUK, Stockport and the Trafford Centre, with more to follow. Manchester Electric’s medium term plan is for around 25 Pod Centres across greater Manchester.
Staff in the Pod Centres will be on hand to educate drivers about EVs as well as offering vehicle sales and hire, after sales care and retail facilities. The programme to establish the network of charging points will be delivered over a two-year period.
Ron Stratton, boss of Manchester Electric, said, “Electric vehicles, from family cars to scooters or fleet vehicles, are going to transform the way we live and work. With new vehicles being released by major manufacturers, and with the cost of motoring continuing to rise, now is the time to switch over. The future is electric.
“These charging points and Pod Centres are just the start. I expect to oversee a tenfold increase in the number of charging points over the next few years.”
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