Kent grammar school partners Zest to deliver electric chargers for the community

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure Specialist Zest has introduced four charge points at a prestigious grammar school in Kent. St. Olave’s, in Orpington, is one the first schools of its kind in the Southeast to make charging available to staff, parents and visitors. The investment comes at a time when the need to switch to electric cars continues to grow and sales increase.

Situated in Goddington Lane, St. Olave’s is widely known for its academic and sporting excellence bolstered by a bedrock of cultural and moral achievements. More than a school, the educational facility also places great emphasis on engaging with other local schools, enterprises, and the community it serves. It has a reputation for making its sports facilities and school available to the neighbourhood, recently opening an All-Weather Pitch.

Its reputation as a prominent community hub means the new charging points will be offered at specific times inside the school gates, making them accessible to visitors outside school hours.

Andrew Rees, Headteacher at St. Olave’s explained: “We’re so excited here at St. Olave’s to play such a vital role in embracing the future of electric vehicles through these charging points. We are more than just a school, so securing investment from Zest in this way shows our appetite for embracing modern technologies and making them easily accessible to staff members and visitors to the school.”

Based in Leeds, Zest is a fast-growing company investing in public charge points for public and private landowners across the UK, backed by the government’s Charging Infrastructure Investment Fund (CIIF). This dedicated fund was established by the UK Government in 2019 and backed by HM Treasury to help develop public charging infrastructure points for electric vehicles throughout the UK.  

CEO at Zest, Robin Heap said: “It’s great to see a school that’s so important to this area choose to benefit from the introduction of EV charge points. Our investment in this school continues to build on our fast-growing reputation for quality, hassle-free, charging infrastructure.”

The charge points are provided, operated, and maintained by Zest, meaning there are no costs or operational overheads for the school. As part of its commitment to boost local economies, Zest engaged JBS Testing to carry out the installation works. Groundwork started during the summer holidays, and the newly fitted charge points launched in mid-September.