The UK’s Largest Motorway EV Charging Upgrade

The UK’s electric car charging infrastructure is due for a boost!

The idea of driving an electric car is certainly dreamy. No need to waste money on fuel, quick acceleration, silent motoring and minimal maintenance. However, there’s always that doubt in your mind when it comes to range.

How will I complete my long road trips? Will the car be able to get me there in a single charge? Where will I stop along the way and will it be off-route? All of these questions stem from the issue of charging infrastructure.

European countries such as France, Germany and the Netherlands put the UK to shame when it comes to having a robust and accessible charging network, with stations dotted strategically around the country. With that in mind, it’s time to catch up!

The UK’s largest motorway EV charging infrastructure upgrade so far is underway, with plans for 11 new ultra high-power Electric Hubs and the world’s first Electric Forecourt® to commence. And it doesn’t stop there, either, as these first 11 sites are just the first of 20 planned to open in early 2022.

Each of the eleven GRIDSERVE Electric Hubs will have between 6 and 12 350kW ultra high-power chargers which are capable of adding 100 miles of range to an electric vehicle in less than 10 minutes, given that the car supports this level of fast charging. These are due to open by the end of March but at the latest, by the end of Q2 2022. Once they are complete, the next phase in the plan is to open 50 additional Electric Hub sites around the UK.

Also being built are two of GRIDSERVE’s Electric Forecourts® which are made to charge a larger number of EVs simultaneously. One is due to be built at Gatwick airport and the other to be built in Norwich, with the former acting as the flagship location. The Gatwick Forecourt will have the capacity to charge 36 EVs at once, with customers being able to spend time in the Cafe, waiting area with superfast wifi or the convenience supermarket. Kids can also enjoy a children’s play area while their parents/carers do the shopping!

One of the best things about GRIDSERVE’s charging network is that all of its chargers use 100% renewable net-zero carbon energy generated by GRIDSERVE’s own solar farms, helping to make EV usage even more eco-friendly than it already is.

Will the UK be ready in time for the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles? How will the country compare to others in terms of charging infrastructure in the future? Let us know your thoughts, in the comments.

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Courtesy of GRIDSERVE