Moto plans for ultra-rapid chargers at every UK site

29/04/2021

Electrification

Motorway service station operator Moto has confirmed plans to install ultra-rapid electric vehicle (EV) chargers at all its UK sites.

The initiative will kickstart with the launch of an EV site, with the opening of its new Rugby Services - following a £40 million investment.

Moto’s new service area will feature 24 350kE ultra-rapid EV charging points, 12 Tesla and 12 Electric Highway chargers.

Moto is planning a further 24 ultra-rapid charger locations at Reading, Thurrock, and Exeter by the end of 2021.

Ken McMeikan, chief executive of Moto, said: “Moto is committed to sustainable motoring and we want to play a key part in encouraging more people to have the confidence to switch into electric vehicles.

"Rugby Services is the most significant first step in achieving this and we’re proud to be launching the UK’s largest EV charging site.

“Our vision is to transform the UK’s rest stop experience and we think motorists will be delighted with the new Moto site at Rugby, particularly as they begin travelling again following easing of Covid-19 restrictions to see family, friends and loved ones.”

New government legislation ensuring EV chargers are reliable and accessible by all is set to break the monopoly on electric car charging at motorway services.

Moto predicts that by 2030, as many as three in 10 drivers could be pulling into motorway service areas in an EV.

BP Pulse announced it is working with local authorities to upgrade and replace legacy EV charge points across the UK.

Rugby Services, located at Junction 1 of the M6, was due to open in July 2020, but delayed due to Covid-19. The new service station opens on April 30, 2021.

Dale Vince, founder of the Electric Highway, said: “Moto is a founding partner of the Electric Highway and this is our first ultra-rapid installation, which comes at a tipping point in the adoption of electric vehicles.

“The installation comes at the beginning of a new partnership with Gridserve, which kickstarts a comprehensive programme where these installations will become ubiquitous across all Moto services, helping to make the experience of using an electric car no different to using a fossil-powered one.”

The Government announced a £20 million research and develoment competition to find solutions to the challenges associated with increasing the uptake of zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) and the necessary infrastructure.

Watch now: Connecting Policy To Solutions Virtual Conference 2021

Smart Transport Conference returned on June 8th & 9th, to facilitate pivotal discussions on the future of transport.

The UK’s most senior public and private sector transport leaders discussed the impact of Covid-19, achieving the Government’s decarbonisation ambitions, the need for more efficient living and better health, and much more.

Kwasi Kwarteng, secretary of state at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), who spoke on BEIS's approach to decarbonising transport, particularly the electrification of the vehicle industry. Watch his presentation below: