UK's first electric vehicle charging forecourt to be built in Essex

Work has started in Essex on what will be the UK's first electric vehicle charging forecourt.

The Gridserve site is being built at Great Notley near Braintree and will be able to charge 24 cars at once in less than half an hour.

It's hoped that as battery technology improves this time will be reduced.

The energy for the forecourt will come from solar power.

As well as shops there will be an education centre for electric vehicles.

Braintree MP James Cleverly says it building the charging forecourt will help people have the confidence to move towards electric vehicles.

The forecourt is being built on a 2.5 acre site near Great Notley, just off the A131

It's the first in a billion pound network of similar forecourts planned across the country