GRIDSERVE has installed the UK’s “fastest EV charger” at the Braintree Electric Forecourt to optimise charging technologies.
The ABB Terra 360kW charger is capable of adding 100 miles of range in less than five minutes, the company said, dramatically increasing charging times whilst on the go around the UK.
The public charger is equipped with two combined charging system (CCS) connectors with long cables, contactless payment, easy access for wheelchair users and is positioned to allow heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and cars towing caravans an area to charge with ease.
This could be a move that leads to the further adoption of EVs with research led by payments technology company Paythru having indicated that 80% of UK drivers may be deterred from driving an EV due to poor experience at the chargepoint.
One of the primary issues with the poor charging experience comes with difficulties in finding an EV chargepoint when it is required. This is an area that has been impacting the sector over recent months.
Over half of the respondents (54%) said not being able to find a chargepoint when it is required would put them off getting an EV and a further 26% said it might. A total of 80% highlighted it as a concern.
The installation of the ABB Terra 360 charger is a trial for the new technology which, if successful, could become a regular at Electric Forecourts and Electric Super Hubs on the GRIDSERVE Electric Highway.
“It is fantastic to have the UK’s first 360kW capable charger open to the public at Braintree Electric Forecourt. By installing this latest innovation now, we are offering state of the art charging technology to our customers,” said Toddington Harper, CEO of GRIDSERVE.
“It can be used with a variety of electric vehicles including HGVs and cars towing caravans. We’ve listened to driver feedback that our towing customers needed additional space to charge without decoupling and this new charger installation has given us the opportunity to provide that charging area at Braintree Electric Forecourt. GRIDSERVE is committed to providing the best charging experience for all EV drivers and we hope to support more drivers in making the switch to electric vehicles.”
The Braintree Electric Forecourt was the first to open in the UK in 2020. The Forecourt allows 36 EVs to be charged simultaneously, using 350kW chargers. These high-powered chargers allow a vehicle to add 200 miles of range in 20 minutes.
Electricity for the site is generated by both the solar canopies above the chargers and a network of hybrid solar farms operated by GRIDSERVE. For example, the site is paired with Clay Hill, the UK’s first subsidy free solar farm, which has a capacity of 10MW.
Additionally, the Electric Forecourt has a 6MWh battery onsite, helping to balance the grid around it and shifting energy to the most profitable periods.
Several Forecourts have been in development since Braintree opened, including in Norwich and Gatwick Airport. The next planned sites include Stevenage, Gateshead and Uckfield with planning permission also granted for Electric Forecourts in Bromborough, Plymouth and Markham Vale.
“We are delighted to be partnering with GRIDSERVE to bring our latest innovation in high power charging to the UK market. The Braintree Electric Forecourt represents the future for the UK consumer e-mobility experience, and we are proud to be supporting GRIDSERVE on this milestone launch,” said Frank Muehlon, CEO of ABB E-mobility.
In light of the ongoing energy crisis, GRIDSERVE raised the pricing of its high-power EV charging to 66p/kWh, the price of medium power charging to 65p/kWh, the cost of its low power charging to 49p/kWh and the cost of the GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourt to 64p/kWh.
In the letter, GRIDSERVE stated that whilst it intends to use renewable energy, such as solar, to keep the cost of charging as low as possible, the firm has been unable to maintain this over other competitors due to the rate of expansion of the network.
