UK's largest EV charging hub opens at the NEC Birmingham

BP Pulse, The EV Network (EVN) and NEC Group, have opened the UK’s largest public electric vehicle (EV) charging hub on the NEC Campus in the West Midlands. 

The Gigahub will provide charging facilities to the seven million visitors attracted to the NEC Campus annually, including those visiting this year's Fleet & Mobility Live, along with a wide range of other road users.

It is accessed via the main NEC Campus through road, less than a mile from junction 6 on the M42 and just 2.4 miles from junction 7A for the M6.

Users can walk to the NEC from the Gigahub and shuttle buses are also available on event days.

The site is capable of charging 180 EV’s simultaneously and is equipped with 30 ultra-fast 300KW DC chargers. The site also has a further 150 points for 7kW charging.

The ultra-fast chargers cost 85p per kWh and are available on-demand. The 7kW units are pre-bookable, only, and cost 59p per kWh to use. BP Pulse subscribers get a 20% discount on the charging rates.

Users do not need to pay for parking at the ultra-fast charger bays, but the 7kW chargers are treated like parking spaces and incur a £12.50 parking charge for the day.

Visitors to the Gigahub will have access to a new Starbucks Coffee drive-thru.

It is the third UK Gigahub to begin open, following sites in Park Lane, central London, and Gatwick airport.

Paul Thandi CBE, DL chairman of NEC Group, said: “We are proud to contribute to the UK Government’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy. Working in collaboration with EVN and bp pulse, the opening of our EV charging hub provides NEC Campus customers, commuters, and those working for local regional or national businesses, a reliable and convenient way to recharge and support a lower carbon travel future.

“This strategic collaboration and initiative strengthen our destination offer, demonstrate our commitment to reducing the impact our business practices and our Masterplan credentials have on the environment, and ultimately supports a reduction in carbon emissions.”