Drivers across the Midlands could benefit from free electric vehicle charging next week as part of a new summer campaign from one of the UK's largest chargepoint operators.
RAW Charging has announced that its Connecting Amazing Places campaign will make it easier for people to charge their electric cars at locations across the UK.
As RAW Charging launches its latest ultra-rapid charging hub at McArthurGlen West Midlands, drivers will benefit from free charging.
All electric vehicle drivers will be able to charge at no cost between Monday, July 21, and Sunday, July 28.
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PA/RAW CHARGING
|Drivers will be able to benefit from free ultra-rapid charging for one week
The McArthurGlen West Midlands site features 10 bays, including two priority bays, with up to 22kW charging, in addition to 65 designer shops, cafes and restaurants.
RAW Charging has already installed more than 385 EV charging bays across the McArthurGlen Group locations in the UK and across Europe.
David Jackson, UK Facilities Lead and McArthurGlen West Midlands Centre Manager, said: "This project is another great example of RAW’s ability to deliver high-impact solutions for everyday destinations.
"As EV ownership grows, it's essential that infrastructure grows with it - and this new West Midlands hub is designed to make sustainable driving simple for local communities and visitors alike."
RAW Charging has hundreds of chargers at locations in the hospitality, leisure and retail sectors, including the National Trust, Legoland and Alton Towers.
It has also partnered with the Scottish city of Aberdeen through its abrdn project to invest more than £6million in sites across the region, with more than 100 charging bays active.
As part of its partnership with the National Trust, RAW Charging has the unique honour of operating the highest-altitude chargers in the UK.
One of its chargers can be found at Pen y Fan in the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, also known as the Brecon Beacons, at a staggering 886 metres above sea level.
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RAW CHARGING
|The UK's highest altitude EV charger is found at a Raw Charging site in Pen y Fan, Wales
Jason Simpson, CEO of RAW Charging, said the brand was "thrilled" to have launched its chargers at the final UK McArthurGlen Group location.
He continued, saying: "This activation reinforces RAW's role as a key infrastructure partner for retail locations across Europe.
"To celebrate the launch and the start of our Summer of Connecting Amazing Places campaign, we're offering a week of free charging - helping drivers experience just how easy and enjoyable sustainable travel can be."
According to data from EV charging database Zapmap, there are more than 82,000 EV charging devices across the UK, at almost 40,500 locations.
GETTY | Motorists no longer need to apply for planning permission to install an EV charger at home
Many experts are hopeful that the UK will see 300,000 chargers installed by the end of the decade to help motorists have confidence in switching to electric vehicles.
This was made easier by Labour's decision to slash red tape for drivers and businesses wanting to install new EV chargers, as they no longer need to apply for planning permission.
The new streamlined process means that drivers and businesses no longer need to submit a planning application when looking to install a private or public charging device.
Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood said Labour had made the decision to cut red tape to make it easier for drivers to switch and "power up the EV revolution".