Electric car owners could benefit from free public charging over the next week as part of a further rollout of the EV network.
To celebrate the installation of a number of new public EV chargers, a leading charge point operator is offering drivers free charging over the coming days.
A mix of 28 new rapid and ultra-rapid EV charging bays have been installed across two popular retail locations by RAW Charging.
RAW’s largest rapid EV charging hub has been installed at Junction 27 Retail Park on the M62 in Batley, West Yorkshire.
Drivers can charge for free during the first week at the new charging hubs
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The site contains 10 charging bats with ultra-rapid DC 300kW EV chargers and six charging bays with standard 22kW chargers.
Another site, located at St George’s Shopping Park in Leicester, will feature eight charging bays with ultra-rapid chargers and four charging bays with 150kW ultra-rapid devices.
To celebrate the installation, free charging will be offered at both sites for their inaugural week for all electric vehicle owners.
Jason Simpson, CEO at RAW Charging, said the new chargers were being delivered to help drivers in Yorkshire and Leicester where other charge point operators may not have been installing chargers.
He added: “We think it is only fitting to celebrate by offering free charging for a week, especially over the Christmas period, allowing shoppers to do last-minute Christmas shopping and go to the boxing day sales all whilst charging for free.
“Both retail parks offer a range of shops and restaurants, making them the perfect locations for us to work with the landlord’s advisor, abrdn, to install our chargers, allowing customers to charge whilst they enjoy the range of facilities.
“Rapid Hubs form an important part of our strategy and we offer a turnkey solution to all asset owners that are looking to install EV chargers on their land.”
According to the latest data from Zapmap, there are more than 53,000 EV charging points across the UK through almost 31,000 charging locations.
This represents a 46 per cent increase in the total number of charging devices since November 2022.
Will Fulton, Fund Manager at abrdn, said the new partnership would help give drivers the confidence to invest in electric car and make use of the public network.
“One of our key goals for the UK Commercial Property REIT portfolio is to ensure that our assets provide the best possible service to customers and other stakeholders, and that they help create a sustainable future in line with our net zero ambitions.
“Working with RAW to install much needed charging facilities at these two well located and popular retail parks helps us achieve both those goals and we will continue to work with best-in-class EV operators, such as RAW Charging, to deliver on our ambitions.”
To celebrate World EV Day earlier this year, RAW Charging launched a similar offer, allowing electric car owners to take advantage of free charging on September 9.
This included making use of over 500 chargers at Greene King pubs around the country.
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There are more than 53,000 EV chargers around the UK
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Other RAW chargers are favoured at hospitality, leisure and retail locations, with the brand set to deliver 10,000 AC and DC chargers over the next three years.