Largest ultra-rapid EV charging station opens

The largest and "most advanced" electric vehicle (EV) charging station of its kind in the UK has opened.

The new InstaVolt Superhub in Winchester, Hampshire, is located near the A34 and junction 9 of the M3 and is home to 44 "ultra-rapid" chargers.

An on-site solar farm, alongside "cutting-edge" battery storage, will be used to power the site, InstaVolt said.

The firm's CEO said the development would provide "industry-leading reliability at an unprecedented scale, ensuring drivers can charge quickly and with confidence".

Delvin Lane said the new station was not "just a charging hub" but also a "flagship site that sets a new standard for ultra-rapid EV charging".

"We are redefining what EV drivers can expect when they charge, seamless, ultra-rapid, and future-proofed charging that makes the switch to electric easier, faster, and more accessible than ever before," he said.

The chargers cost users 85p per kilowatt - compared to between 10p and 15p that it costs to charge at home.

Mr Lane said the site had been a "considerable investment", with chargers that provided customers with "real speed and convenience".

He added the site had an off-peak charge of 54p per kilowatt.

Zapmap reported that at the end of February there were more than 75,000 electric vehicle charging points across the UK, at 38,000 charging location.

But plugging into a charging hub can still cost significantly more per kilowatt hour than charging overnight at home, according to the AA.

The Basingstoke-based company said the new site was designed to "accommodate a wide variety of vehicles", featuring accessible bays as well as those for larger vehicles.

It also features 870 solar panels, alongside batteries designed to store the power generated.

"This site is also a milestone in innovation, marking our first-ever location where we are generating our own renewable energy - pushing the boundaries of sustainability and self-sufficiency in EV charging," Mr Lane added.

A Starbucks cafe, children's play park and dog walking area are all featured at the new development, alongside 24/7 toilet facilities.

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