In a reimagining of what electric vehicle infrastructure can look like, UK Charge Point Operator, Be.EV, has unveiled the UK’s first “Charging Oasis” in Failsworth, Manchester — a landmark moment not just for the city but for the country’s EV movement. Built on the site of a long-abandoned petrol station, this £4 million ultra-rapid charging hub is a green symbol of the UK’s accelerating journey to electrification. What was once a fossil fuel relic has been transformed into a future-facing community asset — powered by clean energy, surrounded by greenery, and designed for the people who will use it.
An Oasis, Not Just a Stopover
Located at the corner of Reliance Street and Oldham Road, the Manchester Charging Oasis offers 12 state-of-the-art 300kW charging bays — capable of adding up to 325 miles of range in just 20 minutes, part of a new era of super fast charging experiences. Among them are two extra-long bays for vans and larger vehicles, an accessible bay, and four waiting bays to reduce congestion during peak hours.
But this site is more than just fast charging — it’s been conceived as a destination. A newly built Caffè Nero Express serves up artisan coffee, while a free ice cream giveaway and coffee offer will welcome drivers at the public launch on Saturday 21st June. One lucky young artist, Year 3 pupil Srinika Malladi from Co-op Academy New Islington, even has her artwork featured on one of the charger wraps after winning Be.EV’s local school design competition.
“This site will change ultra-rapid public charging forever,” says Asif Ghafoor, CEO of Be.EV. “It’s been designed to give drivers exactly what they want — not only amenities to give them a break from driving, but also trees, wildflowers and nature that make drivers excited to come here and charge.”
A Gift to the Community: 1p/kWh for a Day
To mark the occasion, Be.EV is offering an eye-catching 1p/kWh charging deal all day on launch day — the cheapest public EV charging rate in the UK. For most EVs, that means a full charge for under £1. Beyond the fanfare of the launch, Be.EV promises ongoing affordability. The Oasis will charge a standard 50p/kWh going forward — positioning it as Manchester’s cheapest ultra-rapid charging site.
We care about our community,” Ghafoor adds. “We want drivers to know that we’re on a mission to give them cheap charging they can count on every time.”
Sustainability at the Oasis
The project has gone to extraordinary lengths to embed sustainability into every element of its design and construction. The top layer of tarmac is made from recycled tyres. The new Caffè Nero Express building uses recycled bricks and solar panels. Even the water used on-site is harvested from drainage systems and reused for irrigation. This isn’t greenwashing. The site will deliver a net biodiversity gain of over 21%, thanks to a landscaped wildflower garden and tree planting — rare features in car-focused infrastructure. Local economic impact was also a key pillar, with Be.EV committing to using only local suppliers for the build. The Failsworth location sits at the heart of Greater Manchester’s Northern Gateway, a key regeneration corridor identified in the city’s 10-year industrial strategy.
A Template for the Future
As the number of EVs in Manchester is expected to soar to over 150,000 by 2038, hubs like this could become a familiar sight. For the 26,000 drivers who pass by the site daily — and the 1,250+ EV drivers already in the area — this new facility offers not just a pit stop, but a compelling reason to choose electric.
Be.EV’s Manchester Charging Oasis isn’t just about plugs and power. It’s about what the EV future feels like: cleaner, greener, more inclusive — and a little more human.
