SLOUGH, BERKSHIRE
Powering Potential: How Vacant Land Became a Game-Changing EV Hub in Slough
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Estatelogik spearheaded the development of an EV charging hub at an office building in Slough. The property had an unused plot of land, which the client was considering for various purposes such as a petrol station or additional parking. Estatelogik's survey revealed 800kW of spare power capacity in the existing building, sparking the idea for an EV charging hub. This project, Estatelogik’s first, began in February 2020 and opened to the public in 2022.
ESTATELOGIK'S ROLE
Estatelogik provided comprehensive services including:
- Concept development
- Feasibility studies
- Planning and design
- Project management
- Stakeholder coordination
PROJECT SCOPE
The project aimed to transform an unused plot at the Slough office building into a valuable asset by creating a comprehensive EV charging hub. This involved installing multiple DC rapid-charging units and 4 AC fast charging bays, constructing a protective canopy, and modifying roadways to improve traffic flow.
KEY CHALLENGES
Planning Approval:
Convincing local planners to allow increased traffic to the site corner required careful negotiation and roadway modifications.
Power Distribution:
Transferring power from the main building to the hub while the office remained operational posed logistical challenges.
Design Considerations:
Estatelogik proposed and implemented a canopy design to cover the charging area, which needed planning approval.
Minimal Disruption:
All work had to be carried out with minimal impact on the fully occupied office building.
SOLUTIONS
Strategic Planning
Developed a plan that utilised existing power capacity and maximised land use.
Tailored Design
Estatelogik created a mixed-use charging area with both DC rapid chargers and AC fast chargers to cater to different user needs.
Infrastructure Upgrades
Roadways were modified to improve traffic flow, addressing planners' concerns.
Careful Implementation
The team executed the power transfer and construction work with careful planning to minimise disruption to office tenants.
BENEFITS & OUTCOMES
Efficient land use
Transformed an unused plot into a valuable asset.
New revenue stream
Created additional income for the property owner.
Tenant satisfaction
Provided on-site charging facilities, benefiting office tenants with company car fleets.
Increased property value
Contributed to a higher asking price when the asset was later sold.
Sustainability
Aligned with green initiatives, promoting EV adoption in the area.
CONCLUSION
This case study highlights Estatelogik's ability to identify untapped potential in existing properties and transform underutilised spaces into valuable, future-focused assets. Estatelogik delivered a multi-faceted EV charging solution that enhanced the property's long-term value and appeal to tenants and the local community through creative problem-solving with expert project management.