GRIDSERVE and Extra have opened their first ultra-rapid EV charging station at Beaconsfield Services, located at J2 on the M40.
The new Super Hub is the first of seven all-new sites that will open within the next 12 months, supporting a nationwide effort to transform the speed, reliability and convenience of charging facilities for EV drivers on some of the busiest travel corridors, the firm said.
In addition to the six 50kW-capable charging bays that GRIDSERVE provides at Beaconsfield, supporting both CCS and CHAdeMO-equipped vehicles, the new Super Hub adds a further 12 super-fast bays with 400kW-capable chargers that are fitted exclusively with CCS connectors. This is enough for the latest electric vehicles to add more than one hundred miles of range in less than 10 minutes.
In a first for the GRIDSERVE Electric Highway, the Super Hub at Extra Beaconsfield introduces Alpitronic’s HYC400, a DC charger capable of delivering up to 400kW. The Italian company is an established global developer and manufacturer of DC charging solutions, known for its market-leading efficiency and reliability. The introduction is a significant step forward in GRIDSERVE’s mission to deliver the fastest, most reliable and most convenient EV charging experience in the country.
The HYC400 has up to 97.5% efficiency rating and features dynamic power sharing, meaning that the full 400kW can be shared between two vehicles charging simultaneously, depending on their charging needs.
It also features a large side-mounted display with physical buttons, set low to improve accessibility for all drivers, with numerous displays that include speed, spend to date and charging curves, the company added.
All of the GRIDSERVE chargers at Extra Beaconsfield are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are powered by 100% net zero carbon energy.
Rebecca Trebble, Chief Customer Officer, said:
“We’re proud to be working with Extra MSA on delivering the best possible EV charging experience for customers in an ever-evolving market. We also hope customers enjoy the Alpitronic HYC400 chargers, which remain plug in and pay simple while offering best-in-class charging speeds.”
Tom Dobson, CEO of Extra MSA, said:
“Opening our first Super Hub with GRIDSERVE at Beaconsfield Services is an important milestone for Extra as we continue to invest in high-quality facilities for our customers. Ultra-rapid charging is now a critical part of the motorway services experience, and this site ensures EV drivers travelling on the M40 can recharge quickly, reliably and conveniently. We look forward to welcoming customers to many more Super Hubs as our partnership with GRIDSERVE continues to grow.”
Scott Bishop, Managing Director UK, Alpitronic, said:
“We have deployed Hyperchargers across Europe, North America and other regions worldwide, and we are providing GRIDSERVE and Extra MSA with our most powerful all-in-one charger, the HYC400. We appreciate the close partnership and remain focused on delivering a reliable and seamless charging experience that simply works.”
Image courtesy of GRIDSERVE
