The TV designer has turned his hand to a new project, adding a bit of colour and joy to the UK’s motorways.
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, the designer renowned for transforming dull homes into dazzling spaces, is now focusing his creative energies on the UK’s motorways. He’s teamed up with EV charging network GRIDSERVE to make Britain’s electric vehicle ‘charging rooms’ impossible to ignore.
Laurence has taken on the role of ‘ Chief Visibility Officer ‘ to make charging points as visible as possible. It comes after research revealed that drivers underestimate the size of the UK’s electric charging network by half, largely due to outdated motorway signage rules. Donning a fluorescent suit of highlighter yellow, Laurence used his artistic flair to design new mobile signs, complete with bold colours and a flattering self-portrait.
Unlike traditional petrol stations which can be signposted on major roads, current regulations only allow EV charges to be signposted on certain roads if they meet restricted criteria.
This leaves electric vehicle drivers in the dark about where to charge. Consequently, thousands of charging locations are often overlooked despite being scattered along key routes, retail parks, and service areas across the country.
Laurence took to the road in a digital, electric ad-van to showcase the new design before stopping to speak to motorists at GRIDSERVE’s Electric Forecourt in Stevenage.
He said: “The rules around signage for EV chargers are outdated – it should be as natural and visible as a petrol pump. Together with GRIDSERVE, I want to spark a little joy into the process of powering up and make the UK’s charging network a design icon in its own right with bright and beautiful signage”.
“These are the new pit stops of modern Britain”, he added, “why wouldn’t we want to celebrate infrastructure like this? Your charging experience can be just as vibrant as your journey, especially when you’re filling up with clean, sustainable energy”.
GRIDSERVE’s award-winning Electric Forecourts feature round-the-clock charging bays, coffee shops, convenience stores and complimentary WiFi for motorists – but remain difficult to locate due to outdated signage regulations.
Daniel Kunkel, the company’s CEO, said: “We know that lots of petrol and diesel drivers have concerns about switching to electric and finding charge points on their journeys.
However, the UK has one of Europe’s fastest-growing charging networks, and we at GRIDSERVE are proud to be a part of a rollout that concentrates on the most powerful chargers at the most convenient “on the go” locations.
Source: Mirror
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