B&Q and RAW Charging have launched an EV charging partnership, following an £11m investment by RAW Charging to develop EV charging points designed for the trades.
Working with RAW Charging, an electric vehicle (EV) charge point operator for the retail and leisure sectors, the partnership will deliver high-power, ultra-rapid EV charging hubs at B&Q locations across the UK.
As well as high-power DC charging, the bays are spacious and include longer dwell-time options.
The DC rapid and ultra-rapid charging bays will be installed at up to 26 B&Q stores across England and Wales over the next 12 months, and RAW has said grid it will deliver upgrades and high-voltage connections where required.
The first wave of installations is already underway with charging bays installed in Cheltenham, Sidcup, Boston, Stanmore and Galashiels.
Once live, customers are able to access the network via contactless payment and all major EV charging apps.
Kingsley Mack, director of property at B&Q, said: “B&Q is committed to reducing our impact on the environment and to helping our customers to live more sustainably.
“Working with RAW Charging, we’re helping to make it easier for our customers to charge their electric cars and vans by offering ultra-fast, convenient, high-quality EV charging points.”
Neil Broadbank, CCO at RAW Charging, added: “We’re delighted to be working with B&Q to deliver EV charging infrastructure that genuinely supports how people work today.
“By integrating high-quality EV charging into these locations, the partnership supports both economic productivity and the UK’s transition to cleaner transport.
“Tradespeople and commercial vehicles are central to the UK economy, and they need charging that is reliable, fast and located where it fits naturally into their day.
“This rollout is about more than installing chargers – it’s about powering productivity, supporting the transition to electric vans, and connecting destinations with the infrastructure that drivers can trust.”
