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.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • EVgo adds second-life batteries to fast-charging system
    July 18, 2018
    EVgo has added second-life BMW i3 batteries to its Union City fast-charging station in California to store energy during peak solar hours and reduce strain on the grid. This energy is then used to deliver a fast charge to EVgo customers’ electric vehicles during periods of high demand. The second-life battery system integrates two BMW i3 battery packs into a single housing. Evgo says each battery pack has a capacity of 22 kWh which combines with a 30 kW inverter to offer a 30 kW/44 kWh energy storag
  • Birmingham, UK, installs EV charge points
    January 27, 2014
    Birmingham City Council has implemented a network of 36 APT Technologies Evolt electric vehicle (EV) charging points at 18 locations across the city in both on- and off-street locations, installed by E.ON Energy. The posts are part funded by the UK Government’s Plugged-In Midlands scheme and it is anticipated that the scheme, managed by Cenex, will lead to a regional network of more than 500 electric vehicle charging points across both the east and West Midlands. The Evolt Street charge features a ta
  • Government funding to get hydrogen cars moving
    October 10, 2014
    The arrival of hydrogen cars on UK roads is a step closer today as Business Minister Matthew Hancock announced up to US$17.6 million of funding from Government and industry to help prepare the UK for the roll-out of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). The investment will help establish an initial network of up to 15 hydrogen refuelling stations by the end of 2015. It includes US$3.2 million of funding for public sector hydrogen vehicles. The announcement follows news earlier this month tha
  • Webasto to unveil EV charging solutions at CES 2018, Las Vegas
    December 22, 2017
    Aftermarket equipment manufacturer Webasto will unveil a full-service electric vehicle (EV) charging program adapted to the specifications of car manufacturers as well as retrofit solutions at CES 2018, In Las Vegas. The Level-2 charging stations are designed with the intention of delivering a reliable service for markets in North America, Europe and China.