THE UK’s first electric vehicle charging station has given us a glimpse into what the future of the motor vehicle holds.

The forecourt, which is based off the A131 near Braintree, was said to resemble a “spaceship” by one resident in the area, while many others have been intrigued by the new, futuristic facility.

But while the forecourt may appear to look like something out of a sci-fi film, the reality is it is the first of 100 which will be built in the UK in the next five years.

Gridserve - the company behind the project - will spend £1 billion on constructing the charging stations and says it has already identified sites to build more.

It hopes to have a network of forecourts set up ahead of the Government’s ban on the sale of new diesel and petrol cars in 2030.

Chief executive Toddington Harper said: “Our purpose is very much to make transport sustainable. We think electric cars are fantastic and want everyone else to see their benefits.

“The forecourt is set up for electric vehicle users.

“People don’t want to buy an electric car because of the hassle of charging it, the cost and they think it’s too complicated.

“But our forecourt is as simple as it gets. You turn up, plug your car in, swipe your payment card then go to the waiting area until its charged.”

The forecourt can charge 36 electric vehicles simultaneously and has capacity to provide on average 200 miles of range in 20 minutes.

Drivers pay 24p per kWh of energy - meaning a typical charge costs under £10.

The designated waiting area offers a WHSmith travel shop, Costa Coffee, Booths, Post Office, and Gourmade.

There is also a lounge with free superfast WiFi, toilets, a dedicated children’s area, wellbeing area with exercise bikes which generate electricity and business meeting room pods.

An estimated 40 per cent of electric car owners are said to be unable to charge their vehicles at home.

But with Gridserve’s ambitious plans to build 100 forecourts now set in motion, it will soon become much easier to travel around in electric vehicles.

“Our forecourts are more like petrol stations than the service stations you see on motorways.” Mr Harper said.

“They’re designed to serve a town, county or area and will mainly be built on A-roads.

“When we have them all set up around the country, it will be a proper electric network which people can use.

“Drivers will be able to travel around without having to worry about where and how they can fill up.”

Gridserve has struck a deal with electric car manufacturer Hitachi which means it can offer leases out on battery-powered vehicles.

The deal includes the cost of energy to make electric vehicles more appealing and cost effective.

Plans are also in the pipeline to create a smartphone app which means motorists can affiliate their electric vehicles with all Gridserve forecourts.

This means they will be able to pay for energy at the touch of a button and have access to all sorts of data relating to their vehicle.

Mr Harper says there has already been a “really positive” response to the UK’s first electric forecourt in Essex and is hopeful it will encourage motorists - of which 98 per cent still use diesel or petrol - to consider going electric.

Asked if Gridserve plans to build more forecourts in the county, Mr Harper replied: “We’re really keen to hear from electric vehicle owners about where they are needed.

“It’s a growing market and we’ve found a few potential sites in Essex so we’re hopeful we can build some more.”