GRIDSERVE and Roadchef have announced their initial plans to expand electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities at Roadchef Motorway Service Areas (MSA) in the UK.
Consisting of a minimum of six 350kW-capable chargers each, the first two of the six new Electric Super Hubs have launched at Watford Gap North and South (M1), and the following other locations will open soon – Annandale Water (A74(M)), Bothwell (M74), Chester (M56), Sandbach (M6).
Over 50 chargers are in construction across the six sites to support with the ever-increasing EV uptake in the UK. 48 High Power chargers will aid long distance travel across the UK and six Low Power 7kW AC chargers will allow guests at the new Chester Services Super 8 Hotel to charge conveniently overnight.
Roadchef and Gridserve are making a significant investment to deliver new 350kW-capable chargers across the locations. In a first for any MSA in the country, Roadchef is also planning to make EV charging more comfortable for motorists by providing shelter for travellers when charging in a second phase of development.
To make it as easy as possible for customers to charge their EVs, all Gridserve Electric Super Hubs feature both CCS and CHAdeMO connectors, accept contactless payment and provide real-time status updates to a myriad of popular EV charging maps. The chargers are powered by 100% net zero carbon energy from the company’s pioneering hybrid solar and battery farms, supporting GRIDSERVE’s purpose to move the needle on climate change.
Toddington Harper, Chief Executive of Gridserve, said: “We are extremely excited to be announcing the six new Electric Super Hubs with our partner, Roadchef. The 18 High Power chargers at Watford Gap are a very welcome addition on the M1 and it’s great to see the new Scottish Electric Super Hubs at Annandale Water and Bothwell beginning to take shape, to support EV journeys in and around Scotland. 2023 marks a year of rapid growth for the Gridserve Electric Highway and these new locations are vital to give drivers the range and charging confidence on their journeys throughout the UK.”
Roadchef currently has over 40 GRIDSERVE Medium Power chargers and 24 standalone AC chargers across 29 sites. Further EV charging expansion will be announced as plans accelerate into 2023.
New locations:
| Location | Number of chargers |
| Watford Gap Northbound (M1) | 6 350kW-capable chargers |
| Watford Gap Southbound (M1) | 12 350kW-capable chargers |
| Annandale Water (A74 (M)) | 6 350kW-capable chargers |
| Bothwell (M74) | 6 350kW-capable chargers |
| Chester (M56) | 12 350kW-capable chargers and 6 7kW Type 2 AC |
| Sandbach (M6) | 6 350kW-capable chargers |
