EV charging: New chargers installed by BP Pulse, Be EV, Nuvolt, Ionity, Sainsbury’s, SSE and Scottish Power

BP Pulse opens first EV charging hub at M&S store

BP Pulse has opened its first electric vehicle (EV) charging hub as part of its exclusive agreement to roll out EV charging at M&S stores across the UK.

The hub, located at the M&S store in Cheshunt, features 10 EV charging bays – four ultra-fast 150kW and six rapid 50kW. One of the ultra-fast charging bays is extra-wide.

Akira Kirton, CEO of BP Pulse UK, said: “The opening of our EV charging hub at the M&S store in Cheshunt is a huge milestone; the first of a strategic rollout programme.

“Convenience is a hugely important part of our aim to develop the UK’s best on-the-go charging network, and this is a compelling example of how we’re offering fast and reliable EV charging where it is convenient for our customers.”

Sacha Berendji, director of operations at M&S, added: “EV charging will become an increasingly important part of the store offer.

“The new Cheshunt hub includes ultra-fast BP Pulse charge points, making it quick and convenient for customers to charge while they shop. It's also an important part of our Plan A roadmap to Net Zero by 2040.”

Be EV opens ultra-rapid charging hub

Be EV has opened a new eight-bay ultra-rapid EV Charging Hub in Chesterfield.

The ultra-rapid charging hub is one of Be EVs first charging sites in the region, with its network currently consisting of more than 700 charge points nationwide. 

Asif Ghafoor, CEO of Be EV, said: ​​“We’re very pleased to bring ultra-rapid, ultra-convenient EV charging to Chesterfield and to have expanded our network in the midlands. 

“We’re on a mission to roll out reliable chargers to communities nationwide that need them, and this location will provide market-goers and local residents with future-proofed, ultra-rapid charging.

Be EV recently received £55 million in debt financing from NatWest and KfW IPEX-Bank to facilitate its mission to install over 1,000 chargers by the end of 2024.

Nuvolt installs new EV charge points for Creditsafe

Creditsafe has partnered with Nuvolt to install EV charging stations at their UK office in Caerphilly.

The Project EV dual EV charge points in the firm’s car park can be used by both staff and visitors.

Luke George, facilities manager at Creditsafe, said: “The entire process from design to commissioning was seamless.

“The end result perfectly aligns with our sustainability goals. Our staff and visitors now have convenient access to charging facilities.”

Jo Horrigan, co-founder and director at Nuvolt, added: “Our innovative EV charging solutions are designed to meet the needs of modern businesses looking to make a positive environmental impact.”

Ionity opens new high-power EV charging site

Ionity has opened a high-power EV charging site in Greater Brighton, with six 350kW chargers initially available. 

The site, which will have a Starbucks coffee shop alongside, is located at the site of the former Newmarket Inn building, accessed off the A27.

The site is expected to be expanded to 12 chargers in the future.

Andreas Atkins, Ionity's country manager for the UK and Ireland, said: “Partnering with Cobra Coffee to bring a Starbucks alongside EV charging abilities is just one step in the right direction for our aspirations for the area.

“We are looking forward to building on this partnership and providing the whole of the UK with sufficient charging abilities that are convenient and speedy.”

Mark Smith, CEO of Cobra Coffee, a Starbucks franchise, added: “The local area is often described as a charging desert and we are delighted to play our part in decarbonising travel for those living in, visiting or travelling across the National Park.  

“We are excited about the future potential opportunities from partnering with Ionity as we look for further sites together.” 

Sainsbury’s opens ultra-rapid EV charging hub

Sainsbury’s has opened an ultra-rapid EV charging hub at its Warren Heath Superstore.

Featuring eight ultra-rapid 150kW Smart Charge bays, this latest launch brings the total of Smart Charge locations across the UK to 52, all launched within less than a year.

The bays have been designed to be easily accessible for disabled customers, as well as those with young children, thanks to the additional space provided around and between bays.

Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s director of property, procurement and EV ventures, said: “We know that demand for speedy, reliable and sustainable EV charging facilities in the UK continues to grow – that’s why Sainsbury’s is rolling out Smart Charge, our new best-in-class ultra-rapid charging service, at supermarkets up and down the country.

“We hope EV drivers will enjoy the added convenience and choice our new Warren Heath hub provides, giving them confidence that they can top up or do a full charge at our second Suffolk location. What’s more, they can even grab a coffee or pick up some groceries while they’re there, all while being rewarded for their charge by collecting Nectar points.”

Smart Charge is fully owned and managed end-to-end by Sainsbury’s and offers customers Nectar points. 

Scotland’s most powerful EV charging hub goes live in Dundee

The most powerful EV charging hub in Scotland installed by SSE has been officially opened by the cabinet secretary for transport, Fiona Hyslop.

The Myrekirk Roundabout site will feature a total of 24 ultra-rapid charging bays with a total capacity of almost two and a half megawatts.

Eight of the bays will be powered by charge units of up to 360-kilowatts. The remaining 16 bays will feature 150-kilowatt charge units.

SSE has installed a second ultra-rapid charging hub in the city at Kingsway West which features eight charging bays with 150-kilowatt units.

SSE plans to build 300 ultra-rapid EV charging hubs powered by traceable, renewable energy in the UK and Ireland in the next five years with several sites already open and more under construction.

The company has also announced plans to build its first e-HGV charging hub at Tyseley Energy Park in Birmingham.

Hyslop said: “This site features some of the most powerful electric vehicle charging available, offering customers brilliantly fast charging while providing range confidence for people living in and visiting Dundee.”

Neil Kirkby, managing director for enterprise at SSE, added: “The opening of Scotland’s most powerful charging hub at Myrekirk represents a key milestone on that journey, supporting progress on the commitment made by the city of Dundee to installing fast and reliable ultra rapid EV charging infrastructure for drivers and fleet owners.”

St Austell Brewery partners with Scottish Power to install EV chargers

St Austell Brewery has announced a new partnership with Scottish Power to install more than 300 new public EV chargers in pub carparks across the south-west of England.

The company has more than 160 pubs in its estate and is committed to achieving net zero emissions across its operations by 2040.

It has already upgraded its company car fleet and installed EV chargers for employees driving hybrid or electric vehicles across all its head offices.

Paul Hine, supply chain director for St Austell Brewery, said: “We know that investing in this green tech will help us reduce our carbon footprint and thanks to Scottish Power we have been able to do this at scale.

“We’re proud to be providing charging points for our local communities and creating an ‘electric tourist trail’ for anybody visiting our sites and this beautiful part of the country.”

Andrew Mouat, head of smart mobility at Scottish Power, added: “At Scottish Power, we want to help businesses integrate green tech into their operations to allow their customers to live a more sustainable lifestyle while creating a new revenue stream.

“We help business leaders find the best chargers for their car parks, manage and cover the cost of installation, and service the units for the term of the contract.”