Fastned and Places for London has opened its first ultra-rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging hub at Hatton Cross Underground station.
The project is the first of 25 planned across the capital between the charge point operator and the property arm of Transport for London, with the Mayor targeting 40,000 charge points across the capital overall by 2030.
Based in the car park adjacent to the tube station and in close proximity to Heathrow Airport, it includes extra-wide bays and two fully-accessible charging spaces in line with the latest British Standards Institution guidance, alongside weather protection provided by Fastned’s signature yellow solar canopies.
The hub also has CCTV coverage and 24/7 multilingual customer support. Open 24/7 and powered entirely by renewable energy, the hub features 12 ultra-rapid (400kW) charging bays, capable of delivering up to 100 miles of range in just five minutes.
The partnership is already planning other schemes, including a flagship 36-bay location at Hanger Lane, and an 8-bay hub at East Finchley Underground station car park.
Three other sites are within the planning process across Newham, Haringey, and Barking and Dagenham, with a further seven sites due to be submitted for borough review by the end of the year.
Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy, Mete Coban, said:
“The opening of this new charging hub is an important step in helping more Londoners switch to electric vehicles and play their part in tackling the climate crisis. As more people choose electric cars, vans and taxis, it’s vital that we provide the charging infrastructure needed to support them, reducing carbon emissions, improving air quality and supporting our transition to a net zero city.
“This is the first of 25 new ultra-rapid charging hubs planned across London, helping make charging easier and more convenient, particularly for people who don’t have access to off-street parking. These new hubs also represent important progress towards delivering on the Mayor’s manifesto commitment to support the rollout of up to 40,000 electric vehicle charge points across London by 2030. Powered by renewable energy and designed to be accessible for all users, they will help us build a cleaner, greener and more prosperous London for everyone.”
Tom Hurst, UK Country Director at Fastned, said:
“Hatton Cross is a landmark moment for our joint venture with Places for London, and a major step in powering up the capital where it matters most. Positioned on a key route near Heathrow, this hub is built for constant movement and for the switch to electric to happen at pace.
“With ultra-rapid charging, weather-protected bays and effortless access, this site is designed around people on the go. Whether you’re commuting, visiting, running a fleet or living with or without a driveway, we’re making charging simpler, faster and more reliable for everyone.”
John Colgan, Electric Vehicle Charging Hubs Project Manager at Places for London, said:
“Opening our first hub at Hatton Cross with Fastned shows what collaboration can achieve. This is a sustainable, inclusive infrastructure that drivers can rely on where it’s needed most. This is just the start of a city-wide network of ultra-rapid hubs, which sets a benchmark for future EV charging developments, supporting a cleaner, more sustainable transport network across the capital with Hatton Cross perfectly positioned to serve the high volumes of traffic around Heathrow in a safe and comfortable environment.”
Amanda Francis, Chief Executive Officer at AICES said:
“The launch today of the Hatton Cross ultra-rapid charging hub is a vital driver for investment growth in zero-emission commercial vehicles across London and the first of 25 such hubs to be delivered by this important partnership. The provision of ultra-rapid charging facilities designed for larger vehicles and located along key freight routes is essential to supporting the express parcel sector’s ongoing transition to zero-emission fleets.”
Image courtesy of TfL/Fastned
