The first public rapid charging hub on the M6, and the first in the North West of England, has now been opened.

It has six 50kW rapid chargers located just off the motorway at the Caton Road park and ride site, and are operated by BP Chargemaster.

There are 12 7kW charging points that will serve electric vehicle (EV) drivers who wish to park and use the park-and-ride service.

The six rapid chargers will help those that are making longer journeys both ways on the M6.

Matteo de Renzi, chief executive of BP Chargemaster, said: “Providing convenient and reliable rapid charging along the UK’s motorway network will be key to supporting the uptake of electric vehicles over the coming years.

“Alongside our own rollout of 150kW ultra-fast chargers on BP forecourts, including some motorway service area locations, we are proud to have opened the first public rapid charging hub on the M6 in partnership with Lancashire County Council.”

The opening of the charging hub marks a milestone in a partnership between Lancashire County Council and BP Chargemaster, with further work expected to see a 150-strong network of electric charging points throughout the county.

Its charging points are available on the nationwide Polar network, which the company claim is the UK’s largest public charging network.

The rapid chargers all featuring contactless bank card payment for easy access, as well as smartphone app for accessibility.

Lancashire County Council councillor Keith Iddon said: “The charging hub at Lancaster marks another milestone in the evolution of motoring and the move towards electric vehicles.

“Lancashire is geographically at the centre of Great Britain and an ideal place for a facility such as this which should be popular with owners of electric vehicles making longer journeys through this area.”