UK Pub The Plough Adds Convenience with Dual EV Charger
A popular country pub in Colchester has taken a significant step towards sustainability and customer convenience by installing a dual-point public EV rapid charger.
The initiative, carried out by Positive Energy —the UK’s largest independent energy supplier—has already resulted in increased footfall, boosted revenue and reduced operating costs for the establishment.
Supporting Essex’s EV infrastructure goals
The installation at The Plough marks a milestone as the first public charger in the Essex village and one of just ten sites across Colchester, UK.
The move aligns with Essex County Council’s Electric Vehicle Charge Point Strategy, ensuring that local businesses, residents and visitors have access to a reliable and fairly priced EV charging network.
Based on government projections, Essex will require around 1,500 public charge points by the end of this year, with demand rising to 6,000 by 2030. The installation at The Plough plays a crucial role in addressing the growing need while providing local benefits.
Easy, affordable and fast charging for customers
The twin-socket rapid charger installed at The Plough provides up to 22kW of charge for two vehicles simultaneously. Unlike many other public charging points, the station does not require an app or complicated setup—customers simply tap, charge and go.
Each charger can add approximately 50 miles of range in an hour, depending on the vehicle model and battery type.
Additionally, Positive Energy’s national fixed charging rate of US$0.74/kWh is more than US$0.26 (or 25%) lower than the UK’s average pay-as-you-go price of 80p/kWh, making it a cost-effective option for EV drivers.
A welcome revenue stream for The Plough
For pubs and hospitality businesses facing industry challenges, diversifying revenue streams is essential. The Plough has experienced an increase in customer visits since the charger’s installation, as more patrons dine and drink while charging their vehicles.
Landlady Josie Newman, who has managed The Plough with her husband for over a decade, emphasises the financial and environmental benefits:
“It’s so encouraging that more and more people are buying electric vehicles and we’re delighted to support the switch by offering our customers fast, affordable and straightforward charging here at The Plough.
"Even better, there were no upfront costs for us as a business, the charger was free for us to install and we earn revenue from every single charge, which is deducted from our utility bills, which means our overheads are lower too.
Since having the EV charger, we’ve also noticed an increase in footfall – more customers are enjoying a delicious meal and drink with us, with the convenience of charging their cars whilst they dine, at a much lower cost than the national average.”
Strengthening business with sustainable solutions
The partnership with Positive Energy has allowed The Plough to streamline its energy management. Following the success of the EV charger, the pub has switched all its utilities—including gas and electricity—to Positive Energy, consolidating essential services under one provider. The simplified operations, reduce administrative workload and provide a seamless energy management solution.
Nathan Daniels, Head of EV Charging at Positive Energy, highlights the broader impact of the initiative:
“Installing electric vehicle charging makes lots of sense for customers, businesses and the environment and adding a charger at The Plough has proven to be a win-win situation. With EV adoption on the rise—and some tough public EV charging targets to hit across the county over the next five years—this installation has been widely welcomed. Not only are the chargers reliable, easy to use and great value, but they’re also attracting new customers to the pub, increasing spend and dwell time. It also supports a greener future—a factor that’s becoming increasingly important for all businesses and consumers.”
Expanding EV infrastructure for a greener future
The Plough’s installation marks Positive Energy’s 80th charging station deployment, with an ambitious plan to roll out a further 800 stations across the UK by the end of the year. As EV adoption continues to grow—accounting for one in four new UK car registrations in February alone—initiatives like this will be vital in meeting increasing demand.
With the UK government pushing towards a net-zero transport future, the integration of EV chargers into commercial establishments not only supports national sustainability goals but provides businesses with an innovative way to attract customers, increase revenue and reduce operational expenses. The Plough’s successful installation serves as a model for other hospitality businesses considering similar investments in green technology.
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