EV News: The biggest upgrade of motorway electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in UK history is underway as Gridserve announces new fast charging hubs! Gridserve is a tech-based, sustainability company who primarily provide accessible EV charge points across the UK.
In December 2021, Gridserve announced that they would be installing more than 20 new ‘Electric Hubs’. All of which will feature 350kW ultra high power chargers, which can add up to 100 miles of range in less than 10 minutes. Plus, they will all have contactless payment!
These charge points will open at motorway services across the UK by the second quarter of 2022, with the majority planned to be installed by the end of March 2022. In the next phase 50 more Electric Hub sites will be installed!
The company say they are focused on revolutionising EV charging across the UK, and are dedicated to deliver EV infrastructure in areas which are usually left behind, including Wales and Cornwall. This will hopefully empower drivers everywhere to go electric well ahead of the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles.
Electric forecourts!
On top of that, some amazing EV news is that two electric forecourts are also currently in construction and due to open in 2022 by Gridserve. These will be built adjacent to major transport routes and motorways, including a flagship site at Gatwick Airport.
Developed in partnership with Gatwick Airport, the Gatwick electric forecourt will be a flagship site, serving passengers, commuters, local residents and businesses. It will be located on the Ring Road South adjacent to the M23 and will enable 36 EVs to be charged simultaneously.
Again, these charge points will allow for 350kW of charging power and will be fitted with multiple charging connectors for different electric cars. The site is due to open in Autumn 2022 and will have a cafe, waiting lounge, free WiFi and a children’s play area. Making it a brilliant stopping point for long roadtrips.
Toddington Harper, CEO of Gridserve, said “Gatwick isn’t just an airport, it’s an ecosystem of commuters, travellers, staff, taxi drivers, car rental companies, local residents and businesses, all culminating in a transport hub that hosts tens of millions of drivers every single year.
“The Gatwick Electric Forecourt will give these drivers and businesses the confidence to switch away from petrol and diesel cars, making electric journeys to and from one of the country’s most important transport hubs straightforward and sustainable.”
Gridserve is also developing an electric forecourt in Norwich, which is due to open in April 2022 and will have the same facilities as at Gatwick. That’s not including the other electric forecourts which also now have planning permission, including in Uckfield, Gateshead and Plymouth. There’s a total of 30 sites under development as part of Gridserve’s commitment to deliver over 100 electric forecourts.
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Electric vehicles at EVision
If you’re keen to test out an electric vehicle but don’t want to break the bank before you’re set, you could hire an EV! Rather than forking out £45,000, which is the average price for a new electric vehicle, you could save tonnes of money by renting a vehicle.
Here are some of our favourite EVs on the market right now!
A best selling EV
Being Europe’s best-selling EV, the third-generation of the Renault ZOE is back with a bang.The newest model, the ZOE GT Line R135, has more battery capacity, more range and more technology.
Being the winner of the WhatCar? Car of the Year awards for seven years running, you’re guaranteed to get an unmatched drive in the ZOE. For a smaller EV, the ZOE has a surprising range of 245 miles making all types of journeys a breeze.
The ZOE makes a great first impression with its hands-free keycard and stylish exterior. Inside, the ZOE lives up to expectations loaded with innovative features and driving aids. Fitted with a 10-inch driver’s display, the new and improved ZOE is now easier and more enjoyable to use.
We currently have a brilliant offer running when you hire a Renault Zoe from EVision which can save you up to 40%! Find all our best deals here!
Understated electric
Fancy an electric vehicle that doesn’t shout it from the rooftops? If so, then the Vauxhall Corsa-e could be for you. It’s almost identical to the conventional Corsa, except electric!
Vauxhall have spared nothing in their creation of this impeccable electric vehicle. The Vauxhall Corsa-e comes with a 50kw lithium ion battery. This gives the car 136bhp (brake horsepower).
You can get a nice comfortable range from the Vauxhall Corsa-e of around 200 miles on a single charge. You can turn up the fun with sport mode, or boost your range in the eco mode.
In comparison to the standard Corsa, the Vauxhall Corsa-e has a much more controlled drive as well as a different suspension set up. The steering is also different because the 50kw lithium ion battery is packing a lot of weight, 355kg to be precise.
This is a considerable amount of weight so to counteract this, Vauxhall have changed the suspension. This gives a firmer and more controlled driving experience compared to the standard Corsa.
Otherwise there has been no compromise on space in the Vauxhall Corsa-e. It is exactly the same as what you will find in the conventional counterparts.
So are you positively intrigued and are thinking about whether to hire the Vauxhall Corsa-e? Of course you are! You can hire the Vauxhall Corsa-e directly from EVision here.
Punchy electric vehicles
If you want to experience an EV that has been designed with purpose in mind, then the Polestar 2 is the car for you!
You could be forgiven for not having heard of Polestar. The Swedish manufacturer started as the banner for Volvo’s motorsport activity. Now, Polestar has fully graduated to being a standalone car manufacturer itself.
Range is the most important question when it comes to an electric car and the Polestar 2 definitely delivers. The Polestar 2 has a 75.0kWh battery. Offering drivers roughly 265 miles of range on a full charge. While topping up using a 150kW rapid charger it should give you 80% battery power in just 27 minutes.
You can hire a Polestar 2 for the day, a week, a month or longer – and we have some impressive prices! With it’s punchy, pure electric performance the Polestar 2 is aiming to take on the Tesla Model 3.
Advantages of hiring from EVision
When you hire any electric vehicle from EVision you will also receive the following perks:
- Free EV Care – including full maintenance, service costs and tyre wear.
- No long term leasing contracts
- World class service and support from our EV experts
- Account customers benefit from paying no deposit
- Unlimited Tesla supercharging
We are also proud to be the UK’s first pure electric vehicle rental company. We charge all of our electric vehicles by using 100% renewable energy from our own solar panels!
* All information correct as of 24/12/2021.
