Fastned – the charging company currently building a network of fast charging stations across Europe – has today opened its first fast-charging station in the United Kingdom.

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Located in Sunderland, near the factory where the Nissan Leaf is produced for the entire European market, the new fast-charging station is the first in the UK with a charging capacity up to 350kW. 

 

Furthermore, Fastned supplies 100-per-cent renewable electricity and is accessible for all full electric vehicles (FEVs).

 

With a mission to “give freedom to electric drivers and thereby accelerate the transition to electric mobility”, Fastned currently has over 90 stations in the Netherlands, Germany and the UK. The firm is also expanding to Belgium, Switzerland and France.

 

“A symbolic city for electric driving”

 

The new fast charging station is designed, built and operated by Fastned and is owned by the North East Joint Transport Committee and funded through the Go Ultra Low Cities Grant and the European Regional Development Fund. The station is centrally located on West Wear Street – one of Sunderland’s busiest central routes. Last month Fastned announced it had won another tender for five locations for fast-charging stations in the North East of England, organised by the North East Joined Transport Committee.

 

“We are pleased to have built this fast charging station where FEVs can charge up to 350kW in the UK in co-operation with the North East Joint Transport Committee,” remarked Michiel Langezaal, co-founder and CEO of Fastned, adding that local and regional electric drivers can now use this charging facility. “Sunderland is a symbolic city for electric driving, since the factory where the Nissan Leaf is produced is located here. With the Leaf, Nissan was one of the first manufacturers to launch an affordable, mass-produced electric car.” 

 

“A tremendous asset” for the North East

 

Councillor Martin Gannon, Chair of the North East Transport Committee, called the new charging station “a tremendous asset” for the North East. “With another fast-charging station under construction, and five more smaller stations planned, we are making it easier for motorists who already drive electric vehicles and those who want to go green and make the switch to a more sustainable form of transport.”

 

Councillor Graeme Miller, Leader of Sunderland City Council, said that as host to the UK’s first purpose-built high-power fast charging station, Sunderland “continues to lead the way in the electromobility industry”. He added: “Along with other private and public charge-point developments currently underway, these rapid charging stations will help further establish the North East of England as a leader in electric mobility. And it’s also very good news for the electric drivers in this region. The stations can provide electric freedom and ease of travelling for local commuters, commercial fleets, and travellers passing through the region.” 

 

Fast – and automatic – charging

 

At Fastned, all full electric cars can fast charge. The station canopy is covered with solar panels. All electricity supplied to drivers comes from the sun and wind. The station has four 50kW fast chargers and two 175kW fast chargers that are already enabled for 350kW charging. Initially, charging at the station in Sunderland will be free. The free charging will end during 2019, as soon as the payment system is activated – and from that moment an introductory price will be charged. Charging and paying will then be possible with an EV charge card, debit/credit card, Apple Pay and Android Pay. Later in the year, it will also be possible to charge with the Fastned App, making automatic charging (Autocharge) possible in the UK for the first time.