The UK’s first electric vehicle dynamic charging hub has opened in Wolverhampton and is set to be the first of more than 1500 being created across the country as part of a £75 million programme from Osprey Charging.
The charging hub is the first in the UK to feature new load balancing optimisation technology developed by Finnish company Kempower. This supports dynamic charging across multiple vehicles and allows a number of high-power chargers to be installed at a site without the need for grid upgrades.
Ian Johnston, chief executive of Osprey Charging, said, “Whether it is gigafactories, electric vehicle manufacturing or clean air zones, the West Midlands is leading the way on low carbon transport, cementing its role at the heart of the UK’s green industrial revolution.
“The opening of our high-powered charging hub in Wolverhampton, the first of ten in construction this year, once again puts the region at the leading edge of innovation, marking a step-change in the UK’s electric vehicle infrastructure as we accelerate towards mass adoption of these vehicles.”
The Wolverhampton hub is located adjacent to the A463 and includes four high-powered chargers capable of adding 100 miles of range in around ten minutes. It includes a Costa Coffee on site, allowing drivers to make us of its facilities while charging.
Across its many planned hub sites across the UK, Osprey is working with a range of organisations spanning the restaurant and hospitality sector, retail parks and local authorities. Partners include Marston’s, Cardiff Council, London & Scottish Properties, Aberdeen Standard Investments, and Soccerworld.