(Caption: A new superfast electric vehicle charging hub has opened off Spitfire Way, Sandwich)
Superfast charging has come to Sandwich as Fastned open a new high-power electric vehicle (EV) charging hub off Spitfire Way, Sandwich, ready for The Open in July.
Starting with three chargers, Fastned will add a further five “ultra-rapid” chargers as demand grows, so that drivers know they will always be able to get a charge when they need it.
Fastned’s investment at Sandwich comes as Dover District Council (DDC) completes installation of 49 electric vehicle charging points at 18 locations, including DDC-owned car parks and on-street in Dover, Deal and Sandwich.
The chargers at Fastned’s charging “station” in Sandwich can add almost 200 miles of range to an EV battery in just 20 minutes, getting drivers back on the road again in the time it takes to grab a coffee. While charging speeds do depend on the type of vehicle, the maximum charging rate available is 150kW.
For 39p/kWh, EV drivers can charge without any subscription or prior membership and pay with a wide range of methods such as the Fastned App, QR code, or RFID cards from 25+ different charge card providers. Payment terminals enabling credit/debit card and device payment will be installed later this year.
When new drivers register via the Fastned App, Fastned’s Autocharge technology recognises their vehicles, meaning they then never need to use their phone or wallet to start a charge session again. The Fastned App also includes useful route planning functionality and charging tips for all EVs on the market.
Cllr Nick Kenton, DDC’s Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “It’s great to see private developers seeing the opportunity to invest in electric vehicle charging points in the district. Alongside our own charging points in DDC car parks and on-street, we’re seeing a real push to make it easier for people to make the switch to electric vehicles.”
Tom Hurst, Fastned UK Country Lead, said: "Fastned's mission is to accelerate the transition to sustainable mobility by giving freedom to EV drivers. We're proud to be operating the easternmost high-power chargers in the United Kingdom at Sandwich, and to be able to offer this freedom to locals and visitors to Dover District Council alike".
Max Hunter of developers, Maritime Capital, said: “We’re delighted to partner with Fastned to develop the first EV charging hub in the Dover district. As a key investor at Discovery Park we realised it was the perfect location for such a facility with its growing business community, and alongside the soon to be opened Travelodge hotel.”
DDC’s new Local Plan proposes that all new homes with parking provision on their land should include cabling to enable installation of a 7kW 32amp electric vehicle charging point. The Local Plan proposes that all other types of residential, commercial, industrial and retail development, should provide one electric car charging point for every 10 parking spaces provided.
Posted on 03 June 2021