Ecotricity has reported that the number of “plug-in’s” on it’s public EV charging network, the Electric Highway, have more than doubled since the first quarter of this year and almost quadrupled over the last 9 months.
The Electric Highway, which covers 90% of the UK’s motorway services, recorded 15,591 of charges in the second quarter of 2014. This was over double on the 8,891 total charges that were attained in the first quarter. What’s more its is almost four-fold increase on the 4,080 electric vehicles that used the Electric Highway in the last quarter of 2013.
These figures are expected to climb further, with Ecotricity claiming it is receiving around 800 registrations for the Electric Highway per month.
The public charging network is comprised of 170 charging points and continues to expand it’s reach across the UK, with new installations occurring on a regular basis.
The network is free to access for EV drivers (all that is needed is to register online for a free RFID card) and is powered by 100% renewably sourced electricity. It has so far provided 250,000 kWh to EVs across the UK, which equates to over a million miles of electric driving. Again, it is important to mention this has all been provided for free.
Ecotricity are working with the Office of Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) to ensure there are rapid charging points at every motorway service station across the UK. Many of these will include the Combined Charging System (CCS) connector that is used to rapid charge the BMW i3, Volkwagen e-Up! and Volkswagen e-Golf (although the latter has suffered some incompatibility issues recently).
Dale Vince, founder of Ecotricity and the Electric Highway, said: ‘fast (rapid) chargers are a massive turning point for electric cars in Britain, knowing you can recharge a car in 20 minutes, or about the time it takes to have a cup of coffee, and travel the length and breadth of Britain if you want to – is a massive boost.’
Ecotricity, EV Fleet World
