TfL sets up Fastned fast-charging hubs joint venture, with first sites to open in 2026

Transport for London is setting up a new joint venture partnership with European rapid charging company Fastned to set up a number of electric vehicle charging hubs across London.

The first of five initial ultra-rapid charging hubs will be launched in 2026. At least a further 25 sites are planned as the joint venture progresses, with the potential to increase this to 65 hubs as market demand and opportunities arise.

The initial five locations are at Hangar Lane interchange in Ealing, in a vacant site off the North Ciruclar; Hatton Cross tube station car park near Heathrow Airport; a roadside location off the A13 in Canning Town; a former car park in Tottenham Hale that is currently used as a worksite; and an area next to Hillingdon Tube station.

Subject to approval by TfL’s Land and Property Committee, TfL’s property arm Places for London will form the joint venture with Fastned at the earliest opportunity.

The joint venture will build dedicated off-street urban charging hubs that will be able to charge multiple vehicles simultaneously at high speeds. The larger sites will also include retail and other facilities, such as toilets where possible.

Customer safety will also be prioritised, with all sites designed to provide clear lines of sight, high levels of lighting and CCTV, as well as on-site presence where additional facilities are provided.

The five initial locations will deliver around 50 bays in total. Each site can accommodate a minimum of six publicly accessible ultra-rapid charging bays, including at least one bay for those with accessibility needs.

Mark Farrow, director of strategy and planning at Places for London, said: “These hubs will help encourage high-mileage businesses such as taxi, private hire and commercial drivers, across London, to confidently make the transition to electric vehicles.”

Deputy Mayor for environment and energy Mete Coban said: “We currently have more than 21,000 public electric vehicle charge points in London – over a third of the UK’s total charging network – and the Mayor is committed to working with partners like Fastned to hugely expand that number in the next four years.”

Fastned already operates one of London’s busiest ultra-rapid charging hubs in Greenwich, which offers electric drivers up to 300 miles of range in as little as 20 minutes. Fastned already operates 25 charging hubs in the UK and more than 325 across Europe. Its hubs have distinctive solar canopies that keep drivers dry while charging.