Midland Motor Fuels

Tyburn Road may not be a name that instantly rings a bell, but it plays a vital role in Birmingham’s transport network, connecting the city to the M6 motorway and key areas like Erdington and Castle Vale. On a typical day, it sees an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 vehicles, with even higher volumes during peak times.

Given the heavy traffic, it’s no wonder local business owners like Shailesh Parekh, Director of Midland Motor Fuels on Tyburn Road, are looking to capitalize on this bustling route. With the rapid rise in electric vehicles (EVs) now numbering approximately 1.3 million in the UK and growing quickly due to government incentives and environmental awareness, Parekh has recognized the need to cater to this growing market.

To meet this demand, Parekh adopted an innovative operating model from Forward EV, where he owns the EV charging equipment, but Forward EV manages its maintenance.

“It’s early days, but people are already using the charger,” says Parekh, who operates seven sites. “The Forward EV model works for me because they handle everything. The affordability of the setup allows me to test it at Tyburn Road. If it performs well, we’ll consider expanding it to other locations.”

Currently, Parekh sees an average of two or more EVs per day using the charge point, and he even uses it himself as an EV driver.

According to Andrew Oakes, Director at Forward EV, this usage rate could lead to a full return on investment within 12 to 18 months.

“Our goal is to make the process as simple as possible,” says Oakes. “There are no lengthy contracts, or a minimum number of charge points required. Business owners don’t need to rent extra space or commit to long-term leases. It’s easy and straightforward.”

With estimates predicting 8 to 11 million EVs on UK roads by 2030, just 5.5 years away, business owners like Parekh who invest early in EV infrastructure will be well-positioned to benefit from the surge in demand.