Believ has entered a long-term partnership with Marston’s to extend electric vehicle charging across the pub and hotel operator’s UK estate. The first fully funded installations are expected to go live in late 2026, adding Standard, Standard Plus and Ultra-Rapid charge points at new locations. Marston’s already operates 542 chargers across 195 sites, described as the largest rapid and ultra-fast charging estate in the UK pub sector. The agreement is designed around destination charging, enabling customers to charge while visiting a pub, eating a meal or staying overnight.

A New Phase Of Expansion

The agreement brings Believ in as Marston’s second EV charging partner and supports a further build-out across an estate of more than 1,300 pubs, bars and inns. Many Marston’s locations include accommodation, making charging provision relevant to both shorter hospitality visits and overnight stays.

Believ will provide the complete delivery model, from site assessment and design through to installation, operation and maintenance. For Marston’s, the fully funded structure removes upfront capital expenditure while providing a route to deploy charging infrastructure at more sites.

The rollout will feature a tailored combination of charging speeds, reflecting the differing lengths of customer visits. Standard and Standard Plus charging can support longer stops, while Ultra-Rapid facilities are intended for drivers seeking a faster charge during a pub or restaurant visit.

Megan Goldstein, Head of Transaction Management at Believ, said:

“Marston’s pubs and hotels are a perfect match for EV charging, giving drivers the chance to top up while they’re already enjoying a meal or fully charge while staying overnight.”

Destination Charging For Communities

The partnership focuses on public charging at the places people already visit, rather than requiring a dedicated stop solely to recharge. That is particularly relevant for EV drivers without access to home or off-street charging, for whom convenient public infrastructure can make electric motoring more practical.

Every participating site will include at least one accessible charging bay. This is a welcome detail in a sector where accessible infrastructure needs to be considered alongside charging speed and network coverage.

The charging classifications used in the programme align with updated terminology from the Department for Transport. Under that terminology, speeds previously termed slow and fast are now known as Standard and Standard Plus respectively.

By locating charge points at pubs and hotels, the partners are seeking to connect EV infrastructure with everyday local services. The approach offers drivers time to use a venue’s food, drink and accommodation facilities while their vehicle charges, while bringing additional amenity to communities served by Marston’s sites.

Building On An Established Network

Marston’s has built its EV charging presence since 2018. Across its EV-enabled pubs, the company reports that customers have charged enough electricity to travel more than 150 million miles, while avoiding more than 33,600 tonnes of CO2. It also states that every charger in its current network is powered by renewable energy.

Those results provide a substantial base for the new partnership. The expansion is intended to bring charging to further locations across the estate, increasing access for customers, businesses and local residents while supporting Marston’s stated ambition to reach Net Zero by 2040.

Megan Goldstein, Head of Transaction Management at Believ, said:

“It’s a strong vote of confidence for Believ to be chosen by such an established and experienced partner as Marston’s. By choosing Believ’s fully funded, end-to-end model, Marston’s can deliver scalable EV infrastructure across its estate without upfront cost, while supporting customer experience, sustainability ambitions and long-term value.”

Scaling Without Upfront Cost

For operators with geographically dispersed property portfolios, investment requirements and ongoing operational responsibilities can slow infrastructure deployment. Believ’s model places responsibility for the charging programme with the charge point operator, covering the technical and operational stages of delivery.

The partnership also reflects the role hospitality venues can play in broadening the UK’s public charging provision. Pubs and hotels are familiar destinations with established parking, varied dwell times and locations across towns, villages and roadside routes, offering a practical setting for new public charge points.

Marston’s sees the addition of Believ as a platform for expanding the reach of its charging network while continuing to serve guests and surrounding communities.

Chris White, Energy Manager at Marston’s, added:

“Since 2018, we’ve built one of the largest rapid and ultra-fast EV charging network in UK hospitality, and we have no intention of slowing down.

“Bringing Believ on board as our second EV charging partner gives us the platform to extend that network to new sites across our estate, for the benefit of our guests and the communities we serve. Their fully funded, end-to-end model removes the barriers to doing this at scale, and we’re excited to give even more customers the ability to charge while they visit our pubs.”

Hospitality’s Charging Opportunity

The Believ and Marston’s agreement demonstrates how destination businesses can incorporate public EV charging into their customer offer while avoiding the need to own and operate the infrastructure themselves. With installations due from late 2026, the programme will add another stage to Marston’s established network and extend charging access across its estate.

Its combination of multiple charging speeds, accessible bays, renewable-powered charging and long-term operational support presents a considered model for hospitality sites. As more drivers seek convenient places to recharge during routine journeys and leisure stops, the partnership offers a practical expansion of public infrastructure where customers already choose to spend time.