Venture Pub Company director Darren Peachey said there was a “great opportunity” to tap into the growing EV market as more people move to electric vehicles.
In 2024, UK electric vehicle sales saw a 21% year-over-year (YoY) increase, with Heycar reporting that they now represented over 20% of new car registrations.
“We don’t have enough chargers in the UK to support the growth of the electric vehicle market,” he said.
“Also, it gives customers a reason to stop at your pub or hotel while they are travelling.”
Peachey, who runs eight pubs, said that he decided to trial two chargers at one of his pubs in Luton. These are now generating an income of £450 to £550 per month.
Feeling the strain
He highlighted that adding extra income streams was becoming increasingly important in the current climate.
“I am feeling the strain like everyone else. Anything to help us navigate these tough times is always welcome,” he said.
“This year and forward is going to be the hardest time for us in hospitality since Covid. The increase in costs that we are seeing cannot be countered by the increase in prices that we have had to implement.”
He explained most pubs do not have the infrastructure to install fast chargers but that these EV chargers are 22kwh and are more than three times faster charging times than the home charger. Pubs need to have good road links and will need to pay a leasing charge.
Prime location
“I don’t consider that my pub is a ‘prime’ location for chargers because we are right next to a Sainsburys that has fast chargers. What I did is undercut the Sainsburys chargers by 15p per kWh and now I have a lot of repeat customers. My pub is in Luton and I now get the people that work in London charging their cars at my pub and having food and drink while they wait,” he said.
“I pay 25pKwh for my electric and I charge 60pKwh. After VAT, I am making 25p per kwh. Generally, a pub/hotel will charge minimum 65pkwh, but I wanted to undercut Sainsburys.”
Peachey is also looking to get these chargers added to a new glamping site at one of his pubs, which he predicts will do good trade over the summer months.
Pubs can also get their chargers added to ZapMaps for free as this is the most used app for finding EV chargers all over the country.
- Have you got a Business Booster idea? If you have, email gary.lloyd@wrbm.com rebecca.weller@wrbm.com and nikkie.thatcher@wrbm.com with the details.
