Gridserve plans to create nationwide new high-speed EV charging network

Gridserve has unveiled plans to establish a national network of high-speed electric vehicle charging stations under the Gridserve Electric Highway brand.

The move follows the acquisition of Ecotricity’s EV network in May. Under the new plan, Gridserve, which opened Britain’s first electric charging forecourt in Essex last year, will open 100 more Electric Forecourts, a network of more than 50 high-powered Electric Hubs, and 300 rapid chargers at 150 motorways service areas.

Gridserve claims it will be the first time that EV drivers will be able to rely on a comprehensive EV charging infrastructure without range or charging anxiety, wherever they live in the UK.

The network will feature more than 50 new high-powered ‘Electric Hubs’, featuring 6-12 high-power 350kW chargers, sited at motorway services stations across the UK. The programme will see a new investment exceeding £100m and more than 10 of these hubs will be built this year.

The prototype first hub already exists at Rugby Service Station with chargers capable of adding 100 miles of range in just 5 minutes on cars that are capable of taking a 350kW charge. This will be a blueprint for all future highpowered Electric Hubs.

Gridserve is also investing in more than 300 60kW+ rapid chargers at more than 150 locations to upgrade the old Ecotricity EV charging network at motorway service stations and IKEA stores. In the first six weeks of ownership of the Ecotricity network, Gridserve has already installed more than 80 rapid chargers at more than 50 locations, equivalent to replacing around 17 new chargers every week.

Funding for the massive EV infrastructure rollout is being supported by highly influential global impact investment fund, TPG The Rise Fund, backed by Bono, Jeff Skoll and Richard Branson, in their first investment in the UK, as well as investment from existing shareholder, Hitachi Capital UK.

Gridserve Electric Highway will provide EV drivers with 85% coverage of rapid chargers across the motorway network, as well as in towns and cities across the UK which will host more than 100+ Electric Forecourts.

Gridserve CEO Toddington Harper (pictured) said: “Gridserve’s purpose is to deliver sustainable energy and move the needle on climate change, and the Gridserve Electric Highway – a network of easy-to-use, reliable, rapid and high power chargers right across the UK – is doing just that, eliminating charging anxiety and making driving electric an enjoyable, ultra-convenient and stress-free experience.”

He continued: “We’re working at a phenomenal pace to rollout cuttingedge charging infrastructure and will continue to move heaven and earth to install new chargers en masse in as many locations as we can, and as quickly as possible.”

Welcoming the announcement, Transport Minister Rachel Maclean said: “The UK Government has already set out plans to invest £1.3bn in accelerating the roll out of charging infrastructure, targeting support for rapid charge points on motorways and major roads to erase any anxiety around long journeys. Couple this with forward-thinking projects like the Gridserve Electric Highway, and there has never been a better time to go electric.”

Pivot Power expands Energy Superhub model to West Midlands

UK-based Pivot Power has announced a deal with technology company Wärtsilä to build two new battery storage facilities in Coventry and Sandwell, designed to accelerate the roll-out of ultra fast electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the West Midlands.

Pivot Power, part of EDF Renewables, said the projects were part of a nationwide rollout of Energy Superhubs, designed to create the power infrastructure for mass-scale, rapid EV charging. This innovative model supports EDF group’s ambition to become Europe’s leading e-mobility energy company by 2023.

Pivot Power’s first project, Energy Superhub Oxford, is nearing completion and will provide a blueprint for towns and cities across the UK to cut carbon and improve air quality. It integrates rapid EV charging, battery storage, low carbon heating and smart energy management technologies to save 10,000 tonnes of CO2 every year. This is the equivalent to taking more than 2,000 cars off the road.

Wärtsilä will supply the cutting-edge battery technology for both West Midlands projects. Battery storage is crucial to meet the Government’s 2050 net zero climate change targets, providing flexible capacity to enhance the reliability of our electricity system and cost-effectively integrate more renewable generation. Pivot Power’s network could provide almost 10% of the battery storage it is predicted the UK will need by 2050 and will help to create a smarter, more flexible grid which could save up to £40 billion.

Matt Allen, CEO of Pivot Power, said: “This is the next step in our nationwide rollout of Energy Superhubs which will create the low carbon infrastructure needed to support the EV and renewable energy revolution. We are working hand in hand with local authorities to help them meet their climate and clean air pledges, so people can live and work in cleaner, more sustainable cities.”

Pivot Power’s Energy Superhubs are located alongside National Grid substations close to major road networks and urban populations. The Coventry battery storage site is north-east of the city, close to junction 2 of the M6; Sandwell’s is near junction 7 of the M6 where the M5 and A34 meet. Construction of the battery storage systems is due to commence at Sandwell in Q4 2021 and at Coventry in Q1 2022.