- European charge point operator, Fastned, has opened its first public charging hub in Northern Ireland – which coincidentally has also become the fastest charging hub within Northern Ireland, with charging speeds of up to 400kW on offer.
- The twelve-bay hub is located in Banbridge just off the major A1 road, a crucial path between the cities of Belfast and Dublin.
- Its opening now means Fastned operates 31 charging hubs across the UK, and 347 across Europe.
Northern Ireland receives its fastest public charging hub yet
The new chargers, which will be capable of rapid charging EVs to the rate of 100 miles every 5 minutes, will also operate on 100% renewable energy.
Despite the fact Northern Ireland is estimated to have nearly 23,000 EV owners, its public charging infrastructure has typically lagged behind the UK mainland. Zapmap’s latest data shows that Northern Ireland has the lowest number of public charge points of any geographical area of the UK, with a total of 687 units – with 168 of those classifying as rapid (over 50kW) chargers.
In March, Fastned is also set to open its second ultra-rapid charging hub in Northern Ireland in Antrim – with the investment between the two hubs totalling over £3 million.
Mark McCall, Chair at Electric Vehicle Association Northern Ireland, welcomed the installation:
“The Electric Vehicle Association NI is delighted to welcome Fastned to the province with the opening of their new state-of-the-art facilities at Banbridge. With a prime position on our strategic road network, and ultra-rapid charging speeds, this hub will provide a super-fast boost for travellers on the route between Belfast and Dublin. Expanding access to fast, reliable charging infrastructure makes it even more convenient for electric vehicle drivers to travel far and wide, and is a key step toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.”
Tom Hurst, UK and Ireland Country Director at Fastned, added:
“Northern Ireland is in desperate need of reliable ultra-rapid charging infrastructure, that’s why we’re proud and excited to be opening our biggest and best charging hub in the UK, in Banbridge. This hub is not only a game-changer for Northern Ireland’s EV drivers, but it marks our first step into the region. We’re excited to see what’s next and to work with others to improve availability of charging infrastructure in the region.”
