Powerful interview with GRIDSERVE CEO Toddington Harper
In this new video, Insight Research CEO Dan Munford catches up with GRIDSERVE CEO Toddington Harper and he gives a very powerful message about his company’s bold and groundbreaking sense of purpose. GRIDSERVE’s Gatwick site achieved Top 10 status in our ‘The Best EV Hub in the World 2024 competition’ and by pushing limits and redefining customer-centricity there is no doubt that the company are one of the key CPOs to watch globally.
Our view is that GRIDSERVE ‘s electric forecourts in Braintree, Norwich and Gatwick are ‘breakthrough’ trend setters because they have created the best, most relaxing and ‘elevated’ amenity space atmosphere of almost any charging location we’ve seen globally.
Above all, Toddington recognises that the charging industry needs to make the charging experience fantastic and ‘easy’ to persuade more drivers to switch from petrol and diesel vehicles. Gatwick has 30 chargers, mostly 350KW, capable of providing 100 miles of charge in 5 minutes and then a space upstairs which is supremely relaxing.
For Toddington, the direction of travel is clear. The UK has signed up to a Climate Change Act and this is enshrined in UK law – meaning policy makers are obliged to reduce emissions to net zero by 2050, only 26 years away.
Given that the UK’s new Prime Minister is committed to restoring the UK’s 2030 ban on ICE vehicles, even if the UK Labour Party’s massive majority only takes it to 2029, rather than 2034, it seems only logical to conclude that the UK’s pace will now pick up again. A lot..
The rapid roll out of reliable, nationwide charging networks (GRIDSERVE’s motorway network is now charging around 200,000 vehicles each month), will make the experience of EV ownership much better. Perhaps now the UK has the most stable Government in Europe (because of its’ huge majority), parts of the media will lose interest in delaying what is, in the UK anyway, now a seemingly inevitable consumer switch.
We look forward to exploring more ⚡EV Hubs of the future and meeting the great and inspirational leaders (like Toddington) behind them.
As we begin our visit plans for new EV hubs from this Autumn onwards, do get in touch and let us know about your latest concepts – and thank you to those who already have. Finally, a big thank you to our ‘Best EV Hub’ sponsors; we organised our 2024 competition together with Vontier and sponsored by Visa and The Coca-Cola Company. We could not do this without you
