London Gatwick has become the first international airport to open an Electric Forecourt, a dedicated electric vehicle (EV) charging station, with the new GRIDSERVE facility available for all to use from today.

The brand-new site has 30 high-power and low-power electric vehicle chargers available via contactless payment – ideal for passengers, staff, local residents, commuters, or business fleets – alongside high-speed Wi-Fi, a lounge area, Costa Coffee, Little Fresh convenience store and an interactive EV experience area.

All charging bays are powered by 100% net zero energy, with the fastest chargers capable of adding up to 100 miles of range in 10 minutes. Visitors can also speak to a GRIDSERVE EV Guru to gain advice on which EV may best suit their needs, and take the opportunity to test drive an EV.

Bronwen Jones, Development Director, London Gatwick said: “We are proud to be the first international airport to open a GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourt. The charging station has been placed in a strategic location and will be available to millions of passengers, commuters, staff, residents and businesses that pass through the area each year.

“We are making sustainability part of everything we do here at London Gatwick and we are committed to creating a low-carbon economy by providing new infrastructure that everyone can use, so together we can reduce emissions. As we invest in our long-term, future growth additions such as GRIDSERVE are vital to London Gatwick’s ecosystem.”

Toddington Harper, CEO, GRIDSERVE said: “As we launch our third Electric Forecourt® at London Gatwick, we mark a significant milestone in the evolution of sustainable transportation. We are excited to open our first charging facility at an international airport and help London Gatwick on its journey to net zero.

“Our purpose at GRIDSERVE is to deliver sustainable energy on the scale needed to move the needle on climate change. By creating a destination where people can not only charge but learn more about EVs, we can give drivers the confidence to switch to electric. We look forward to welcoming current and potential EV drivers to our new London Gatwick Electric Forecourt.”

The Electric Forecourt® is located on the Ring Road South approach to London Gatwick’s South Terminal. The building is open every day from 4:30am to 10:00pm, with chargers available 24/7 year-round.

The new GRIDSERVE facility follows the opening of London Gatwick’s new-look train station in November, doubling the concourse space, widening platforms and adding new lifts and escalators.

These projects, alongside the airport helping to fund new hydrogen buses on the local Metrobus network and investing in doubling the Gatwick-Reading train service, contribute towards London Gatwick’s ambition for 60% of journeys to and from the airport to be zero or ultra-low emissions, by 2030.

London Gatwick has recently achieved Level 4+ ‘Transition’ of the Airport Carbon Accreditation scheme – the only institutionally-endorsed, global carbon management certification programme for airports.

Earlier this year, London Gatwick accelerated its commitment to be net zero for its own Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2030, 10 years ahead of its previous commitment. This ambition is in line with all other airports operated by VINCI Airports in Europe.

About London Gatwick

London Gatwick is the UK’s second largest airport and is a vital piece of national infrastructure that helps drive both the regional and national economy. More than 40 airlines fly from the airport to over 150 short-haul and more than 45 long-haul destinations. The airport is focused on rebuilding and growing sustainably in the long term. It has ambitious plans to be a net zero airport by 2030 and increase capacity by bringing its Northern runway into routine use.  Vinci Airports owns a 50.01% stake in the airport, with Global Infrastructure Partners managing the remaining 49.99% interest.

About VINCI Airports

The world’s leading private airport operator, VINCI Airports operates more than 70 airports in 13 countries. Thanks to its expertise as a global integrator, VINCI Airports develops, finances, builds and manages airports by providing its investment capacity and its know-how in optimizing operational performance, modernizing infrastructure and managing their operations and environmental transition. VINCI Airports is the first airport operator to have committed to an international environmental strategy in 2016, to achieve the goal of net zero emissions across its entire network by 2050.

About Global Infrastructure Partners

Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) is a leading infrastructure investor that specializes in investing in, owning and operating some of the largest and most complex assets across the energy, transport, digital infrastructure and water and waste management sectors. With decarbonization central to our investment thesis, we are well positioned to support the global energy transition. Headquartered in New York, GIP has offices in Brisbane, Dallas, Delhi, Hong Kong, London, Melbourne, Mumbai, Singapore, Stamford and Sydney.

GIP has approximately $100 billion in assets under management. Our portfolio companies have combined annual revenues of approximately $80 billion and employ over 100,000 people. We believe that our focus on real infrastructure assets, combined with our deep proprietary origination network and comprehensive operational expertise, enables us to be responsible stewards of our investors’ capital and to create positive economic impact for communities.

All images credited to London Gatwick/VINCI Airports