Network upgrade to help with motorway charging

An upgrade to the electricity network in North-West England will assist in the rollout of EV charging at the area’s busiest motorway services.

The work by SP Energy Networks – part of a wider £60m low-carbon investment programme  – creates additional electrical capacity to enable the provision of around 350 rapid electric vehicle charging points across Burtonwood, Hapsford, Knutsford, Lymm and Sandbach services.

The major infrastructure upgrade will make an important contribution to the decarbonisation of car travel in the region, and towards meeting Net Zero North West’s goal to be the UK’s first net zero region by 2040.

The upgrade work involved the installation of new electricity substations at the five sites and connecting these to the existing electricity network through new underground cables. SP Energy Networks worked closely with motorway service providers, as well as local communities, to deliver all work safely and efficiently.

SP Energy Networks’ Chief Operating Officer, Guy Jefferson, said: “The work we have completed across the five motorway service sites will help make low-carbon travel a reality for more and more people, supporting them to make the switch to electric transport and do their bit on the journey to net zero.

“To make that a reality, we need to ensure we have the necessary capacity on the network, so what we’ve delivered is a real game-changer for the region, and will allow people to make that switch with confidence and support service providers in ensuring there is a reliable and resilient charging network available.

Moto Chief Executive, Ken McMeikan added: “These network upgrades will be pivotal in helping us deliver on our commitment to supporting a more sustainable future of motoring, particularly as 2030 and the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars draws closer.

“Increased electrical capacity for Ultra-Rapid electric vehicle charging points at Moto Lymm and Moto Knutsford services will help us provide EV commuters up and down the country with the capacity, reliability, simplicity and charging speeds they require to travel longer distances throughout the North West and beyond.”

Image courtesy of SP Energy Networks

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