Gridserve and Moto open first ultra-fast electric vehicle charging hub in Wales

Wales’ first high-powered electric vehicle charging hub has opened at Moto Swansea. The advanced Electric Hub, part of the Gridserve Electric Highway, initially hosts six 350kW high-power EV charge points, with the ability to quickly add a further six high power chargers as soon as they are required.

All chargers will be supplied with 100% net zero carbon energy from Gridserve’s solar farms, accept contactless payment for maximum accessibility, and have the ability to deliver 100 miles of range in less than 10 minutes to vehicles that are capable of using the chargers’ full capacity.

The hub is located at Moto Swansea at junction 47 on the M4. The Gridserve Electric Hub supports the Welsh Government’s plans to slash emissions from transport, a sector responsible for 17% of the country’s overall emissions. The Government’s Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy for Wales commits to delivering 4,000 rapid chargers across the country over the next decade – of which just 3% are already installed.

Currently, Wales has one of the lowest numbers of EV charge points per head of population in the UK and south-west Wales – where Gridserve’s Electric Hub is located – has just half the average proportion of EVs when compared to the rest of the UK.

Gridserve is actively looking at further sites in Wales for the development of future Electric Hubs and Electric Forecourts to help boost charging in the country.

Toddington Harper, CEO of Gridserve, said: “This is a landmark project for Gridserve and Moto and the first high-power charging facility of its kind for Wales. We’re really excited to be demonstrating that all parts of the UK should be able to embrace the EV revolution.”

“We cannot let a lack of infrastructure prevent drivers from realising the myriad of benefits that come with driving an electric vehicle. This project will help deliver the confidence for more people to make the switch to EVs, as well as support the growing number of people who already have. The Electric Hub at Moto Swansea is the first of many projects that we are aiming to deliver across Wales.”

Ken McMeikan, CEO of Moto, added: “We are accelerating our ambition to open ultra-rapid charging hubs at all of our Motorway Service Areas over the coming 12 months and are delighted with the progress that our partnership with Gridserve is making.”

Gridserve is delivering the biggest upgrade to motorway EV charging infrastructure in UK history. Over 20 Electric Hubs – each consisting of 6-12 350kW ultra high-power chargers – are due to open at motorway services across the UK by the end of Q2 2022, with large numbers of additional Electric Hub sites being lined up to follow.

Since Gridserve’s acquisition of Ecotricity’s Electric Highway in June of last year, the company has already invested tens of millions of pounds in upgrading the network. In addition to opening the first Electric Hub at Moto Rugby, the company has replaced more than 300 historical Ecotricity DC rapid chargers and has installed 130 additional AC chargers, ensuring that the charging needs for all types of electric vehicles are catered for.

Gridserve is also progressing plans to deliver more than 100 Electric Forecourts across the UK, with sites at Gatwick Airport and Norwich already in construction, and many more sites in development. Gridserve opened the UK’s first Electric Forecourt in Braintree, Essex in December 2020.