SSE opens two ultra-rapid hubs

SSE Energy Solutions has opened two new publicly accessible ultra-rapid hubs in the past week as the construction of charging facilities accelerates.

A 10-bay EV charging hub has been opened at its Spa Road depot in Melksham, increasing the number of ultra-rapid chargers in the area tenfold, and another in conjuction with M7 Real Estate in Great Yarmouth.

As well as being available for public use, the 5 Dual Head ultra-rapid 150kW chargers across 10 EV Charging bays, will service SSE’s local fleet of electric vehicles at Melksham. The high-powered charging units have the potential to allow drivers to resume their journey in just a few minutes .

SSE plans to build 500 ultra-rapid EV charging hubs powered by traceable, renewable energy in the UK and Ireland by 2030 with several sites already open or under construction including those in Glasgow and Dundee.

Simon Gray, head of fleet for SSE, said: “SSE is putting its money where its mouth is. As part of our Net Zero Acceleration Plan, we’re investing £10 million a day to unleash the low-carbon infrastructure that the UK needs for its net zero transition as part of our commitment to invest £12.5 billion in clean energy solutions by 2026.

“The installation of charging hubs based on our own sites where SSE Fleet vehicles operate will assist us greatly as we transition over 2,500 vehicles to zero emissions by 2030. With the added benefit of opening-up these charging facilities to the public where possible, we can provide even more support to local communities and fleets to help reduce harmful emissions from transport.”

The news follows the first of SSE’s ultra-rapid electric vehicle charging hubs being built in conjunction with M7 Real Estate opened by former cabinet minister and local MP, Sir Brandon Lewis CBE. The 10-bay hub at Gapton Hall Retail Park in Great Yarmouth features 150kW charge units which have the potential to allow drivers to resume their journey in just a few minutes , as well as a 22kW charger meaning users have a choice of how to charge when visiting the site.

The hub is the first of a potential 50 charging stations installed on sites managed by M7 Real Estate (M7).

Kevin Welstead, EV sector director at SSE Energy Solutions said: “Gapton Hall is a great example of the sort of hubs that cater to the everyday EV driver, perfectly located to make charging your car straightforward and convenient.

“We’re pressing ahead with our ambitious EV charging infrastructure plans and I look forward to delivering hubs to people right across the UK, both in conjunction with M7 but also with the 500 hubs we plan to build ourselves over the next seven years.”

Image courtesy of SSE Energy Solutions

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