GILLINGHAM Service Station’s plans to increase its electric vehicle (EV) charging provision from two bays to six have been approved.

Motor Fuel Group (MFG) submitted an application to Dorset Council back in December to create an EV charging hub, as well as a replacement jet wash, at the service station found at the Kingsmead Business Park on Shaftesbury Road.

The plans included six new rapid EV charging bays with canopies, which will sit on the southern edge of the site and will replace nine existing customer car parking spaces and two existing EV charging bays.

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There are two existing EV charging bays at the site currently, but the applicant says these 50KW chargers do not ‘fully meet’ the needs of motorists.

They said: “The proposal is for six rapid charges of 150KW, enabling faster and more efficient charging in line with the expectations of motorists.”

The new, upgraded, jet wash will be in the same location as the previous jet wash, but will include screening to minimise water spray.

JMS Planning & Development said on behalf of the applicant: “The facility will provide a strategically located electric vehicle recharging hub for EVs, reducing CO2 emissions from road transport and reducing oil dependency as a transport fuel.

“The proposal, in association with the existing facilities on site, will create a true dual-fuel facility.”

One customer car parking space will also be lost to accommodate a new air/water and vacuum bay.

A new plant room was also included in the plans which will be located to the north of the jet wash bay.

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