Connect With Customers, Increase Sustainability & Reduce Your Carbon Footprint: Achieving Net Zero with RAW Charging

Retail businesses must carefully plan a clear pathway to becoming a net zero company in the interests of being forward-thinking and future-proofing their businesses. 

Installing EV charge points is a vital step in any net zero carbon strategy, allowing companies to improve and shout about their sustainability practices and connect with communities.

With the help of an EV infrastructure leader such as RAW Charging, your retail portfolio can fully realise its potential, creating an efficient charging hub that will integrate into the community and create positive customer experiences – both presently and in the future. 

Given that RAW enjoys successful partnerships with some of the nation’s largest retail portfolios (including McArthurGlen, Abrdn, Aviva and Segro), its team is the expert on future-proofing your business and reaching net zero.

Why achieving net zero is now a necessity.

The United Kingdom is experiencing a seismic automotive shift as the £500m funded Road to 2035 report steadily accelerates. 

Formerly known as the Road to 2030, the government has since applied the brakes on its plans, giving motorists five more years of breathing space before the ban on the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE) cars and vans comes into effect. 

Still, this does not mean that retail businesses should rest on their laurels. If anything, the report is a double down on successfully achieving net zero, placing great importance on getting this vital transition right. 

As the UK plans to become the fastest G7 country to decarbonise cars and vans, it makes perfect business sense to overtake the competition and ready your premises for the mass adoption of electric vehicles on UK roads.

How can you reach net zero? 

Having an efficient net zero carbon strategy in place is a must as we look toward 2035. The RAW team has provided insight into elements you should implement into your business strategy to reach net zero in the near future effectively. 

Installation of EV charging facilities.

Given that the Road to 2035 report focuses on electric vehicles and that ICE vehicles contribute to so much of our carbon emissions, it makes sense for businesses to begin by concentrating on EV charging.

EV charge points are a poster child for any business’ efforts to reduce carbon emissions. They are public-facing and arguably one of the hottest topics concerning environmentally friendly practices, so why not make them your first port of call? With EV charging in retail, businesses can:

• Establish their brand as a sustainability leader

• Meet impending regulatory requirements

• Attract more visitors and boost footfall

• Increase customer loyalty

• Appeal to customers with a tendency to spend more

• Add to their marketability 

• Futureproof their business

• Generate additional revenue

Reducing energy and carbon emissions in retail.

Retail businesses should examine all aspects of their operations and identify areas to reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint, thus benefiting their net zero goals. 

The means of doing this include introducing a plan for energy reduction and energy-efficient equipment, optimising your buildings and premises to use less energy, and working alongside visitors to reduce how they use energy on your site. Other key strategies include:

1. Energy conservation:

• Implement energy-efficient appliances and lighting.

• Conduct regular energy audits to identify areas of improvement.

• Provide information and incentives to encourage guests to conserve energy.

• Consider the use of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.

2. Waste management:

• Implement an eco-friendly waste management program, e.g. recycling, composting and implementing waste reduction initiatives.

• Reduce single-use plastics and other disposables.

• Work with suppliers to promote sustainable packaging solutions, reducing packaging overall.

3. Water conservation:

• Use water-efficient landscaping and irrigation systems.

• Collect and reuse rainwater for non-potable purposes.

• Educate visitors about water conservation.

4. Transportation:

• Offer electric vehicle charging stations for visitors and employees.

• Encourage public transportation where possible by providing information and amenities.

• Encourage using EVs for employee transportation and EV fleet vehicles for business operations.

5. Employee and customer engagement:

• Educate employees about the importance of sustainability and empower them to make eco-friendly choices.

• Offer incentives and recognition for employees who contribute to sustainability initiatives.

• Create a culture of sustainability within the organisation.

• Communicate your sustainability initiatives to visitors through various channels, such as your website, social media and on-site visual marketing.

• Encourage guests to engage in sustainable practices while visiting.

• Offer eco-friendly amenities and experiences to enhance the visitor experience.

6.  Supplier management:

• Work with suppliers to prioritise sustainability in their operations.

• Request sustainability reports and certifications from suppliers.

• Collaborate with suppliers to find innovative solutions to reduce environmental impact.

Reduce the environmental impact of construction work.

Reducing the environmental impact of construction work is another crucial step towards becoming more sustainable and achieving net zero emissions. Since retail and hospitality sites are generally large-scale, the following practices and solutions can make a significant difference.

1. Use eco-friendly materials:

• Choose recyclable, sustainable, local materials.

• Reduce the use of materials that produce substantial emissions during production (e.g., concrete and steel).

• Consider using reclaimed or recycled materials.

2. Energy-efficient design:

• Design buildings with passive solar design principles to reduce energy consumption.

• Install energy-efficient systems

3. Green building certifications:

• Follow green building certifications like LEED or BREEAM to ensure sustainable construction practices.

• Incorporate water-saving fixtures and appliances to reduce water consumption.

4. Community involvement:

• Engage with local communities to address their concerns and implement their input into the construction process.

• Minimise the site’s environmental disruption and impact on local ecosystems and heritage sites.

5. Green infrastructure:

• Incorporate green infrastructure features such as green roofs, rain gardens and green public spaces.

6. Carbon offsetting:

• Offset residual carbon emissions through the likes of reforestation and renewable energy projects.

7. Collaboration and partnerships:

• Collaborate with architects, engineers, suppliers and EV networks such as RAW Charging to develop innovative and sustainable solutions.

Why should retail businesses choose to partner with RAW Charging?

RAW Charging is a team of industry experts behind one of the largest EV charging networks across the UK and Europe. 

RAW’s holistic approach to finding the perfect EV charging technology and Ownership Options for each retail site leaves no stone unturned, understanding that each business has individual needs and challenges.

With RAW, your site will benefit from: 

• AC and DC EV charging options. Many companies only provide DC charging; however, RAW understands the need to be flexible and appeal to all visitors and scenarios.

• Guest experience is placed at the forefront of design. RAW recognises that people are vital to any site's success, so considering guests is paramount—not just the revenue the premises will produce.

• RAW Charging fosters a working relationship with all partners, from planning and design to installation and ongoing site management and maintenance. This relationship is key; given that a lease of EV charging spaces will last over 15 years, a strong partnership must be formed.

• RAW Charging already collaborates and enjoys successful partnerships with some of the most prominent names in retail, including McArthurGlen, Abrnd, Aviva and Segro.

EV Charging isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, so it is essential that landowners and business owners employ the help of an experienced EV industry expert who recognises and can deliver a bespoke fit. 

If you are interested in partnering with and working alongside RAW Charging, Contact RAW today.