Solar power to boost EV charge network
THE UK’S FIRST electric car charging site powered by solar energy will open later this year, with many more to follow.
The site, near Braintree in Essex, will house facilities for up to 24 electric cars to charge at the same time at a rate of up to 350kw – a match for the speed of the slowly expanding Ionity network and well up on the 50kw Ecotricity chargers at motorway services. It will also be home to a supermarket and an education centre dedicated to electric cars.
The company behind the site, Gridserve, says it plans to build a network of 100 charging hubs across the UK within the next ve years.
Gridserve boss Toddington Harper says his company will create “the most advanced charging facility in the UK. Drivers will be able to turn up and charge their vehicle at the fastest rate, using 100% renewable energy”.