London Gatwick has opened a dedicated charging station for electric vehicles (EVs) as part of its attempts to make journeys to the airport more sustainable.

The new Gridserve facility, located on Ring Road South at the airport’s South Terminal, features 30 chargers for EVs, which are available 24 hours per day.

The site offers 30 high and low-power EV chargers, which can be accessed through contactless payment. Gatwick said all the bays are powered by 100 per cent net zero energy, with the fastest chargers able to add up to 100 miles of range within 10 minutes.

Gridserve will also have staff on hand to give travellers advice on the best electric vehicles for their driving needs, as well as giving them the opportunity to test drive an EV.

Bronwen Jones, development director at 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.”   

Toddington Harper, CEO of Gridserve, added: “We are excited to open our first charging facility at an international airport and help Gatwick on its journey to net zero.  

“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.”

Gatwick wants at least 60 per cent of journeys to and from the airport to be made using zero or ultra-low emissions vehicles by 2030.

The Gridserve building at Gatwick will be open every day from 4.30am to 10pm, while chargers are available around the clock.