Skip to main content

New charging network brings electric motoring to UK drivers

The completion of a new charging network that stretches the length of Britain’s busiest roads makes long-distance, cross-border journeys by electric vehicles (EV) a realistic prospect for millions more drivers in the UK and Ireland. The network stretches from Stranraer in Scotland to Suffolk in the East of England, from Hull in the North East to Holyhead in north-west Wales, connecting with Belfast in Northern Ireland and Dublin in the Republic of Ireland. Each installation includes at least two of t
February 26, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
The completion of a new charging network that stretches the length of Britain’s busiest roads makes long-distance, cross-border journeys by electric vehicles (EV) a realistic prospect for millions more drivers in the UK and Ireland.

The network stretches from Stranraer in Scotland to Suffolk in the East of England, from Hull in the North East to Holyhead in north-west Wales, connecting with Belfast in Northern Ireland and Dublin in the Republic of Ireland.

Each installation includes at least two of the latest state-of-the-art multi-standard charge points that are compatible with most EVs on sale today: with outlets available for 44kW CCS, 44kW CHAdeMO or 43kW AC systems. Each charging point is said to be capable of powering a typical electric vehicle’s battery to 80 per cent of its capacity in less than 30 minutes.

The US$8.1 million (€7.4 million) investment in the rapid charge network was part-funded by the European Union’s Trans European Transport Network programme and by four major EV manufacturers: 838 Nissan, 1731 BMW, 2453 Renault and 994 Volkswagen. ESB in Ireland and 6640 Ecotricity in the UK and are the network operators, providing power to the entire rapid charge network charging stations.

The new network was conceived and implemented by Sunderland-based Zero Carbon Futures to meet increasing demand for public charge points and to encourage more motorists to make the switch to plug-in power.

Related Content

  • October 15, 2019
    Climate fears driving EV buyers, says Geotab
    Reducing their environmental impact is as likely to persuade UK consumers to buy an electric vehicle (EV) as saving money, according to a new survey. Connected vehicle company Geotab surveyed 3,001 consumers on factors that appeal to them in an EV. Four out of 10 respondents are motivated by reducing their impact on the environment - compared to 45% for lowering running costs and 37% for lowering tax costs. Regional findings showed climate was a priority for nearly half the participants from the So
  • August 10, 2015
    Siemens electrifies Scottish businesses
    Siemens has installed electric vehicle (EV) charge points for businesses across Scotland, including Robert Gordon University (RGU) in Aberdeen, SGM Distribution and Edinburgh College. The company’s new and comprehensive range of Transport Scotland-compliant charging points includes AC chargers that provide both single and three phase charging via single or dual outlets, and can be floor standing, pole or wall mounted. Also included in the range is a triple outlet, multi-standard, rapid charging station
  • March 22, 2016
    Government competition winners will use F1 technology to design greener cars
    Formula 1 technology could soon make family cars lighter, improve fuel efficiency and help plug-in vehicles go further - after an innovative research project won a share of a US$54.6 million (£38.2 million) UK government prize. The project is one of more than 130 car manufacturers, technology companies and research centres across the country to have won a share of the money, announced in the Budget, which will create hi-tech jobs and help Britain become a global leader in exporting state of the art, emis
  • November 22, 2012
    ‘Quick charger’ for electric vehicles
    UK company Chargepoint Services has partnered with France-based DBT to distribute their Rapid Charge Unit for electric vehicles. The DC chargers can recharge an electric vehicle, such as the Nissan Leaf, to approximately 80 per cent battery capacity in just 20-30 minutes, but costs around 60% less than other rapid chargers currently on the market today. The company says this could help revolutionise electric vehicle travel, making longer journeys “range-anxiety free” by bringing refuelling times closer to