What is an EV Charging Hub?
Find out what an EV charging hub is, and where you can find them.
We named our EV Hub after the hub of information about electric vehicles we have available on our website. However, physical EV Charging Hubs are popping up all over the UK and Europe. Here is everything you need to know about EV Charging Hubs, what they are, and where you can find them.
What is an EV Hub?
Simply put, an EV Charging Hub is an area in public in which there are multiple EV Chargers in one place. Some have facilities such as toilets and restaurants like motorway service stations do.
The chargers you’ll find at these hubs are usually rapid-speed chargers. Some EV charging hubs are within petrol stations – an EV hub is classed as four or more chargers.
How Common are EV Hubs?
Many petrol stations have chargers fitted as standard now, but dedicated EV Charging Hubs are less common. At the beginning of 2023, there were almost 300 locations with more than four high-speed charging points.
This is up 80% from 2021 and have been a huge help for electric car drivers who are driving long distances and need to stop to recharge.
Which Companies Offer EV Hubs?
Several electric car charging companies have begun rolling out EV Charging Hubs. Here are some of the best in the UK:
Gridserve
Gridserve have taken control of the electric network, becoming one of the first companies to install rapid chargers at motorway services across the UK. Gridserve’s EV Hubs are called ‘Electric Forecourts’, and provide high numbers of charge points, as well as office facilities, coffee shops, M&S Food and WHSmith. There are currently Gridserve Electric Forecourts in Braintree and Norwich, with plans to open one close to Gatwick airport soon.
Instavolt
Instavolt’s first charging hub was opened in date off the M40 in Banbury and has proven so popular that the site has recently been doubled in size and capacity. It has 32 rapid chargers that are available 24 hours a day, and features a Costa with a Drive Thru, as well as a Miller & Carter Steakhouse.
You can use the Instavolt website to see how many chargers are available, and how much it will cost.
BP Pulse
One of the largest EV Charging networks in the UK, BP Pulse has more than over 8,500 charging points over the country and place them in the most convenient locations.
BP Pulse also offer a ‘subscribe and save’ option where you can save as much as 20% on the standard charge rate when you pay a £7.85 per month subscription fee. The subscription guarantees you the best charging rates, and a £45 credit to use when you sign up.
Shell Recharge
Shell Recharge was one of the UK’s first rapid-only networks and is continuing to add high-powered chargers to existing forecourts all over the country. They’ve even replaced an entire petrol station in London with an EV Charging hub.
This is the first time Shell has converted one of its existing sites into a site to cater specifically to electric vehicles.
Osprey
Osprey focuses on ensuring their charging are fully accessible – their most recent hub conforms to British Standards for disabled access.
They currently have hubs in the Midlands, with plans to expand to the Southwest.
Motor Fuels Group
MFG offers compact EV Charging Hubs at several sites in the UK and has been rolling out chargers at an admirable rate.
These Charging Hubs are all placed in petrol stations, so many of them have adequate facilities. The charging points are clearly labelled and separate.
Tesla Supercharger
EV giants Tesla have their own brand of super chargers that are popping up all over the country. Unlike the other companies, Tesla obviously cater to their own brand of car.
They have sites all over the world and have almost 1000 chargers in the UK alone.
What are the Best EV Hubs in the UK?
Here are some of the biggest and best EV Charging Hubs in the UK.
Norwich Gridserve Electric Forecourt
Total Number of Chargers: 36
Facilities: Costa Coffee, M&S Food, WHSmith, toilets, kids’ zone, Post Office, rentable Office Pods.
Opening Hours: 6am – 9pm, 7 days a week
Address: Maple Way, Postwick Norwich, NR13 5HB
Banbury Instavolt
Total Number of Chargers: 32
Facilities: Costa Coffee Drive-Thru, Miller & Carter Steakhouse, toilets,
Opening Hours: 24/7
Address: J11 M40, Stroud Park, Ermont Way, Banbury, OX16 4AE
Fulham Road Shell Recharge
Total Number of Chargers: 10
Facilities: Little Waitrose and Partners, Costa Coffee, seating area with Wifi, toilets
Opening Hours: 7am – 11pm
Address: 923-931 Fulham Rd., London SW6 5HY
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