The UK’s first multi-brand EV showroom will open its doors to the public on Saturday 22 July. Located in 4,000 sq ft premises at Milton Keynes’ centre:mk, the Electric Vehicle Experience Centre (EVEC) will help inform the town’s residents and visitors about the benefits of electric vehicle ownership.

The EVEC’s official founding partners BMW i, Kia, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Renault and Volkswagen, will display a range of EVs to suit all budgets and buying needs in a shopping centre environment. Visitors will be able to discuss all elements of owning and running an electric vehicle, as well as having the option to test a range of cars on local roads.

Managed by Chargemaster and funded by Milton Keynes’ Go Ultra Low City scheme, the EVEC has been established to increase the number of EVs sold in the area. Milton Keynes’ target is for 23 per cent of all new cars registered locally to be electric by 2021. Chargemaster is the UK’s largest manufacturer and operator of electric charging points.

David Martell, Chief Executive of Chargemaster said, “Opening the Electric Vehicle Experience Centre on 22 July will be a landmark day, not only for the electric vehicle sector, but also for Milton Keynes residents. Becoming the UK’s first multi-brand EV showroom, it will provide a destination for visitors to make an informed decision about owning an EV, without the pressure of having to make an immediate purchase decision. We are delighted to receive the support from six key electric vehicle manufacturers as founding partners of the EVEC.”

“We hope that this platform will change the way that electric vehicles are sold in cities and we’re proud to be working with Milton Keynes and Go Ultra Low to deliver this to the public.”

The EVEC is one of a number of initiatives being launched by Milton Keynes Council under the Go Ultra Low City scheme to promote the uptake of electric vehicles. These include significant investment in infrastructure, including the creation of several EV charging ‘hubs’, free parking for EVs and further grants for workplace and home charging.

Brian Matthews, Head of Transport Innovation at Milton Keynes Council commented, “The EVEC is a centrepiece of our thrust to encourage the uptake of electric vehicles and is a good example of the innovation that Milton Keynes is using to lead the way in transport innovation. We are delighted to be working with Chargemaster and six founding car manufacturers to bring this about.”