NEC to get 180-bay EV charging hub
The NEC has been given planning approval for what it claims will be one of the largest electric vehicle charging hubs in Europe, providing over 180 bays when it goes live in the Autumn.
Located within the NEC campus close to Birmingham Airport, the hub will be accessed via a new entrance just off junction 6 of the M42.
Bp pulse will be the charge point operator and will offer two kinds of charger. 32 Alpitronic ultra-rapid 300kW DC chargers will cater for passing drivers using the M42, while the hub’s remaining 150 bays will provide 7KW charging, aimed at visitors attending events at the NEC, such as Interchange!
The project has been developed by The EV Network and is funded by its investment partner, Zood Infrastructure, a wholly owned subsidiary of SDCL Energy Efficiency Income Trust. It is part of a wider agreement between The EV Network, Zood and bp pulse signed in 2021, which aims to significantly expand the provision of convenient ultra-rapid EV charging infrastructure across the country.
Reza Shaybani, co-founder and chief executive of The EV Network, said, “This is an exciting project with national importance which will significantly impact the EV charging landscape. The location and size of the charging hub within the UK’s transport infrastructure provides reassurance for drivers travelling between cities.”
Paul Thandi, CEO of NEC Group, said, “As the UK’s leading live events business, we also want to be a leader in sustainable practices. Creating an EV charging hub of this scale is a step change for the UK’s green travel strategy. Providing greater reliability and access to high quality charging bays at a key part of the UK road network, is a great move forward and one we are proud to support.”
Jonathan Maxwell, CEO of Sustainable Development Capital LLP, said, “The roll out of electric vehicles offers major benefits and the success of the roll out depends on the availability of charging infrastructure at scale and we are proud to be part of its development.”
Akira Kirton, CEO of bp pulse UK, said, “Convenient and reliable ultra-fast charging solutions like this hub at the NEC are critical to the UK’s transition to electric vehicles and that’s game-changing for the adoption of lower carbon road transportation. By working with The EV Network and NEC Group, we are making fast charging accessible in another prime location.”