Author: mranthonyprior

EV Works – a new Hub for Sustainable Transport and Community Businesses in Brighton?

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On Thursday 9th June we hosted an open day at our new EV Works site next to our depot in East Brighton. We exchanged ideas on how a sustainable transport hub could help meet the city’s transport and clean air goals, and contribute towards a carbon neutral Brighton & Hove in 2030. We also explored how we could use the space to support fledgling sustainability or community business initiatives.

We were thrilled to have representatives from across the city’s sustainable transport and business community: Brighton & Hove Council, Bike Hub, BTN Bikeshare, Compass Bus, Compost Club, Community Works, FareShare Sussex, UK Power Networks, Wild Drive Campers, an eCargo bike enthusiast, and even a representative from Fleet Bus User Group in Hampshire!

It’s really important to us that we have representation from across the community from the start as we develop the EV Works concept. It’s brilliant so many people came along and shared their ideas and experience.

Anthony, Innovation Lead at The Big Lemon

We were given a tour of Wild Drive’s brand new eCampervan, a test ride of Hourbike’s new eCargo bike, and Mike from the Compost Club explained how a site like the EV works could help him grow his startup compost collection and delivery service. We heard from Fareshare how a hub could help them meet their small business fleet day time charging needs and we started a discussion with BikeHub about establishing a new location for their cycle maintenance and training activity. And of course, we took the opportunity to show people round our new charging infrastructure, Higer buses and EV hire cars!

One of the most important things for us as we develop the EV Works ideas is feedback and ideas. Our Big Lemon clipboards and sharpies were put to good use while we enjoyed refreshments from Brighton Bier and Bagelman. We have collected some great initial ideas and feedback, so a huge thank you to everyone for taking the time to leave comments.

If you were not able to be there but still have a burning question, thought or idea it’s not too late, please use the link below to fill in our quick online survey.

Click here to give us your feedback on EV Works

Whats next? Based on how well this open day went we will be arranging more for the near future. Please stay tuned and we will share details of the EV Works as our plans develop and future events soon!

The Big Lemon invites you to an open evening at our site “EV Works” in East Brighton on Thursday 9th June at 5pm.

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As we develop our plans for a zero emissions transport hub for the city we would love to hear your ideas.

Please join us at 5pm on Thursday 9th June at Boundary Road in East Brighton where we will tour the site, discuss the infrastructure we are planning to install at the site and share some fine beers and snacks courtesy of our neighbours at the Brighton Bier tap room.

The Big Lemon team at the new East Brighton site

There will be plenty of opportunity to discuss and share your ideas as well so if you are interested in how the EV Works could help you reach your own zero emissions goals we’d love you to join us.

Please click here to book your free place

While the city council is committed to a Livable City (LTP5) as part of its 2030 net zero pledge, much still needs to be done for local people and businesses to be able to choose zero emissions vehicles and transport options. 

The Local Transport Plan 5 (LTP5) consultation report identifies strategic transport hubs as a vital part of providing the infrastructure needed to promote and enable the behaviour change required to meet the 2030 target.

The Big Lemon has been leading the transition away from fossil fuels since 2007 through operating buses and coaches first with recycled waste cooking oil, and from 2017, with electric buses powered by solar panels on the roof of the bus depot.

We are always on the lookout for opportunities to expand our impact and reach more people with more options to transition away from the use of petrol and diesel vehicles towards shared and active transport options.

The Big Lemon has taken over a 1500m2 disused gas works adjacent to East Brighton Park and plans to use it for an exciting pilot project, the EV Works. The pilot will provide space and resources to businesses, entrepreneurs and local residents to trial, launch, and experiment with zero emissions transport and logistics options. 

“We are creating a space for local people and businesses to come together and trial zero emission transport options. We will be making a fleet of EVs available to hire; expect eCargo bikes, EV cars, vans, pickups and buses to be available from the site. We also want to create a home for other entrepreneurs to launch and trial their own zero emissions start-ups” – Anthony Prior, Innovation Lead, The Big Lemon

Our friends at Mid Sussex Electrical installing new EV charging infrastructure.

“If the city and the wider population is going to meet our carbon reduction goals we are all going to have to rethink our transport choices. So if you have a concept that you think could benefit from a community of like minded entrepreneurs we would love to hear from you. The more choices and options we can bring together the better.” Tom Druitt, The Big Lemon founder & CEO.

The Big Lemon invite you to get involved! If you are interested in finding out more, or even in contributing to what the project can offer they would like to hear from you. 

“Decarbonising our transport and reducing tailpipe pollution needs bold initiatives like this. the EV Works will help create a focal point for the many ideas, organisations and services in the city, well done!” Arjo Ghosh, Co-Founder, electrictogether.com

The team is hosting an early evening event on Thursday 9th June Food and drink will be served by neighbouring brewery, Brighton Bier. If you think the EV Works could help you the team would like to hear from you! If you would like to attend please click here to book your free place.

“Like The Big Lemon, we’re passionate about decarbonising whilst providing inclusive and sustainable transport options for everyone. The EV works is a groundbreaking and inspiring project that shows Brighton & Hove is leading on taking steps to address the challenges we all face today. We’re pleased to be supporting this exciting venture and looking forward to being involved as it develops“ Paul Topham, BTN Bikeshare

If you would like a chat about the project please contact anthony@thebiglemon.com or call Anthony directly on 07891 893806.