New Mer EV Charging Technology Helps Hospitality Sector Attract More Customers

Gateway Café is now home to four ultra rapid chargers with a maximum speed of charging 200kW, enabling four electric vehicles to be charged simultaneously.

Karl Anders, Managing Director at Mer UK, commented “We hope the increasing popularity of the Gateway Café will grow further with the delivery of Mer’s EV charging technology.”

It’s another great example of how commercial landowners are maximizing the value of EV charging with retail customers today, whilst also future-proofing for tomorrow, as the number of UK EV drivers increase at a rapid rate.

The chargers allow for simultaneous charging with dynamic load management. This system enables more efficient use of the power available at the site, whilst increasing the performance of the charging system. Ultimately, this benefits the drivers by providing more active sockets per site whilst increasing the peak charging speed on each socket. The café’s visitors will also benefit from interactive touchscreens and contactless payment – making the user experience simple and hassle-free.

Mer aims to be the most customer-centric charging network, with accessibility and convenience for its drivers core to its goal. Mer has listened to customer feedback on the importance of ensuring its bay outline accounts for the space required for the chargers and has taken these learnings forward into their development with Gateway Café. The chargers are accompanied by wide bays, giving sufficient space for vehicles to park and charge comfortably. There are also two bays of fast charging, which are intended for drivers who are staying for an extended period of time and those who cannot use the Combined Charging System connectors.

Adam Guppy, Facilities Manager at Gateway Café, said, “In addition to increasing the curb appeal of the cafe for EV drivers, the chargers will help us to reduce the café’s carbon footprint.”

Located on Spine Road off the A419, Gateway Café is run by the event catering company, Relish Group. The picturesque spot is in a prime location for attracting passers-by and residents and welcomes walkers, cyclists, bird watchers, and families. Visitors can enjoy locally sourced food and drink throughout the day. The venue is also available for private hire for events and functions.