EV charging ‘superhub’ to open in Oxford

A new electric vehicle (EV) charging superhub is set to open in Oxford later this year.

The project, which  will initially consist of 38 fast and ultra-rapid chargers, will provide up to 10MW of power on site and will scale up to meet the need for EV charging in the area over the next three decades.

Any EV will be able to use the site and chargers are open 24/7.

The scheme has been developed by the EDF Renewables-owned Pivot Power and Oxford City Council who have teamed up with EV charging company Fastned, Tesla Superchargers and Wenea.

Fastned will build one of the largest charging stations in its pan-European network at the site, where 10 300kW chargers will charge 14 EVs simultaneously, Tesla will install 12 250kW Superchargers and Wenea will deploy 16 7-22kW charging points.

Unlike other charging hubs in the UK the site, located at Redbridge Park and Ride, is directly connected to the high voltage national electricity grid to provide the power needed to charge hundreds of EVs at the same time and quickly, without putting strain on the local network or requiring costly upgrades.

This network, developed by Pivot Power, has the capacity to expand to key locations throughout the city to meet mass EV charging needs.

The EV superhub is the first of up to 40 similar sites planned across the UK to help deliver charging infrastructure needed for the estimated 36 million EVs by 2040.

The announcement is seen as a key milestone in the completion of the £41 million Energy Superhub Oxford (ESO) which is due to open in Q4 this year, and comes as Oxford is set to launch the UK’s first zero emission zone this August, where vehicles are charged based on their emissions, with EVs able to use the zone for free.

Matt Allen, chief executive at Pivot Power, said: “Our goal is to help the UK accelerate net zero by delivering power where it is needed to support the EV and renewable energy revolution.

“Oxford is one of 40 sites we are developing across the UK, combining up to 2GW of battery storage with high volume power connections for mass EV charging.

“Energy Superhub Oxford supports EDF’s plan to become Europe’s leading e-mobility energy company by 2023 and is a blueprint we want to replicate right across the country, working hand in hand with local communities to create cleaner, more sustainable cities where people want to live and work.”

Councillor Tom Hayes, cabinet member for green transport and zero carbon Oxford at Oxford City Council, added: “For Oxford to go zero carbon by 2040, we need to electrify a lot more of our transportation. As an innovative city embracing technologies and change, Oxford is the natural home for the UK’s largest public EV charging hub.

“We are excited to be taking a major step forward in the completion of Energy Superhub Oxford, working closely and superbly with our private sector partners. As an ambitious city, we are excited about the prospect of further innovation and investments, building upon our record of transformational public and private sector delivery.”