UK’s largest high power motorway electric vehicle charging site opens
The largest high-powered electric vehicle charging station on the UK motorway network has opened today (30 April) at Moto’s new Rugby Services.
The development, featuring 24 chargers with up to 350kW of power, is part of a wider roll out to cater for the transition to electric vehicles.
The project is part of a multimillion investment programme to deliver electric vehicle charging to motorway services across the UK. It is the first high power installation by the Electric Highway – – the world’s first nationwide electric vehicle charging network – under its new partnership with Gridserve.
The Electric Highway has delivered 12 of the 24 high-power chargers at Rugby and has plans to roll out high-power chargers on every Moto site. This would see the installation of 350kW capable chargers, which are able to supply up to 200 miles of range in 10 minutes, and accept contactless payment.
Toddington Harper, chief executive of Gridserve, said: “To see what the future of electric vehicle charging on the UK motorway network looks like, you can now visit Moto’s new Motorway Service Area at Rugby.
After announcing our Electric Highway partnership with Ecotricity in March, and supported by Hitachi Capital (UK), we’ve been hard at work putting in the charging infrastructure needed to give people the confidence to make the transition to electric vehicles, by delivering 6-12 high power 350kW chargers across the Moto network as quickly as possible, as well as replacing all the existing chargers with the latest technology.”
Dale Vince, founder of the Electric Highway, added: “This marks the beginning of our new partnership with Gridserve, and kickstarts a comprehensive programme where these installations will become ubiquitous on the motorway network, helping to make the experience of using an electric car no different to using a fossil-powered one.”
By the end of this year, 28 Moto sites are set to have ultra-rapid chargers. The aim is to have all Moto services with at least six ultra-rapid chargers by 2023, as part of a substantial long-term investment programme, and also includes an upgrade to all existing 50kW chargers by the summer to support greater charging flexibility and additional power ahead of increased ‘staycation’ traffic.
Moto, together with Gridserve and Ecotricity, is planning a further 24 high-power charger locations at Reading, Thurrock, and Exeter by the end of 2021.
Ken McMeikan, chief executive of Moto, said: “Moto is committed to sustainable motoring and we want to play a key part in encouraging more people to have the confidence to switch into electric vehicles.
Rugby Services is the most significant first step in achieving this and we’re proud to be launching the UK’s largest EV charging site.
“Our vision is to transform the UK’s rest stop experience and we think motorists will be delighted with the new Moto site at Rugby, particularly as they begin travelling again following easing of Covid-19 restrictions to see family, friends and loved ones.”
Source: talkingretail
