Wales’ first high-powered EV charging hub has opened at Moto Swansea, marking a step-change in the country’s EV charging infrastructure and supporting drivers to switch ahead of the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles.
The charging hub, part of the Gridserve Electric Highway, initially hosts six 350kW high-power EV charge points with the ability to add a further six high power chargers as soon as required. All chargers will be supplied with 100% net zero carbon energy from Gridserve’s solar farms, accept contactless payment, and have the ability to deliver 100-miles of range in less than 10 minutes.
Located at junction 47 on the M4 at Moto Swansea, the EV hub supports the Welsh government’s plans to reduce 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.
Mike Hedges, MS for Swansea East, said: “By 2025, Swansea is predicted to have one of the highest demands for EV charging in Wales as the uptake of electric vehicles continues to accelerate. Ensuring that we have the infrastructure in place now is fundamental to enabling more drivers to make this transition sooner.”
Currently, Wales has one of the lowest numbers of EV charge points per head of population in the UK and Southwest 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 and give people the confidence to make the switch to electric vehicles.
