Plans for UK’s ‘largest’ electric vehicle rapid charging hub revealed

InstaVolt has revealed plans for what it claims would be the UK’s largest rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging hub.

The ‘Super Hub’, which will be located north of Winchester off the A34, will include bays for cars, towing vehicles, and HGVs.

While Instavolt says that the total number of rapid chargers is yet to be finalised as well as the opening date, the scheme will also feature large ground-mount and roof-mounted solar arrays and on-site energy storage systems.

On-site amenities will include food, drink and toilets, together with a play area for children.

The addition of a new fleet-friendly charging hub will be welcomed by the sector.

It comes as the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) is urging councils to sign a ‘Fleet Friendly EV Charging Pledge’. 

By signing the pledge, it aims to ensure that councils will consider fleet operators and drivers in charging infrastructure plans and strategies; engage with the fleet sector to understand their EV charging requirements; and provide fleet focused EV charging information and guidance. 

It is part of a wider campaign from the BVRLA to support councils develop EV charging infrastructure, with a pool of resources and guidance.

With company-provided vehicles accounting for the majority of EVs on UK roads, the pool of resources has been designed to ensure that the differing needs of fleets are met alongside those of other road users. 

Growing charging network

With Instavolt’s planned super hub helping it towards the target of installing 10,000 rapid chargers in the UK by 2030, there are now more than 170 ultra-rapid charging hubs across the UK, with the overall charge point installation rate increasing by more than 80%, according to new data from Zapmap. 

The mid-year statistics for charge point installations reveal that compared to the first half of 2022, when an average of 891 charging devices were installed each month, the UK is now seeing an average of 1,622 charging devices installed per month.

This means the rate of installation has increased by around 82%. If the current rate of growth continues, Zapmap calculations indicate there will be more than 50,000 charge points in the UK by the end of the year. 

At present, the latest Zapmap figures show there are more than 44,000 public charging devices installed across the UK, as of the end of June 2023. This represents overall year-on-year growth of 36%.

Breaking down the figures down by power rating shows that almost 20% of devices are rapid or ultra-rapid chargers. There were 8,680 of these types of chargers at the end of June.

InstaVolt network expansion strategy

To help deliver Instavolt's new super hub and further expand its network, the charge point operator has appointed Lily Coles as hub development director.

With more than 15 years’ of experience within the renewable sector, Coles joins InstaVolt following a three-year stint as the new energy director at SMS, where she focused on the origination, appraisal, execution and management of renewable energy investments.

Prior to SMS, she worked with energy efficiency company Anesco as part of the senior management team.

Adrian Keen, CEO of InstaVolt, said: “Lily’s appointment marks a significant step forward in developing our super hub programme and highlights our commitment to expanding the UK’s rapid charging infrastructure on the strategic road network.”

He added: “Winchester is the first of a number of InstaVolt super hubs and with a class leading reliability of 99.9%, EV drivers can be confident that when they arrive, they’ll find an easy-to-use charger, with on-site amenities to not only recharge your car but recharge yourself with a coffee or a bite to eat.”