Fastned opens its second ultra-rapid charging hub in Durham
A brand new ultra-rapid (300kW) charging hub opens today just off the A1, providing a quick charging boost for up to eight electric drivers at any one time.
London, UK 28 June 2024 - Today Fastned, the European fast-charging company rated the UK’s best en-route EV charging network by Zap Map, opens a new electric vehicle charging hub with an initial eight charging bays off the A1 at the Forrest Park, Newton Aycliffe services.
The site is located just north of Darlington, less than a 2 minute drive off the A1 at the Aycliffe interchange which joins with the A167 on the outskirts of Newton Aycliffe. It will initially have the capacity to charge eight EVs at any one time, with space to expand to ten charging bays as demand increases. This will give existing, and future, EV drivers travelling to and from the North East and around County Durham, up to 300 miles of range in 20 minutes powered by 100% renewable energy.
The launch means Fastned now has 25 hubs in the UK, and its second in County Durham, where the company worked with Durham County Council to identify the site. Fastned’s charging network spans the length and breadth of the county with many charging hubs in the region, including Barnard Castle, Sunderland, Washington and Newcastle.
The new charging hub features Fastned’s illuminated yellow wings, which help EV drivers locate the site easily and show drivers who have not yet made the switch to electric that ultra-rapid charging is available to them. Fastned is supporting the EV transition in the north east and showing the rest of the UK what is possible.
Drivers charging at the Forrest Park hub will have access to a wide range of amenities, including KFC, SPAR and McDonald’s. Fastned’s reliable and easy-to-use ultra-rapid chargers, offering a range of payment methods, means drivers in County Durham and the north east can charge easily with confidence and get back on the road as quickly as possible.
Commenting on the new hub, Tom Hurst, UK Country Manager, Fastned said: “County Durham has supported us from early on when we opened our first hub in the county at Barnard Castle in 2022. I’m delighted to be building on this success and opening our second charging hub in County Durham to give drivers in the north east the charging experience and service they deserve.”
Cllr Mark Wilkes, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and climate change, said: “We are pleased that County Durham has been chosen as the location to open another charging hub. The additional electric vehicle charge points align with our aim to make electric charging more accessible across the county, where we have secured significant funding for electric vehicle charge points and continue to roll them out across the county. The new hub also supports our Climate Emergency Response Plan, through which we are working towards reducing carbon emissions across the county. Travel is a key part of this, including giving people the option to make their journeys more sustainable.”
- ENDS -
Contact
For media enquiries, including interview requests, please contact Hannah Fairley, UK Public Relations Manager at [email protected] or on 07584117170
Fastned is on a mission to accelerate the transition to electric mobility. Since 2012, we’ve been at the forefront of European charging infrastructure development, building and operating a rapidly growing network of iconic fast charging stations.
Our yellow, nature inspired stations create a welcoming environment for drivers during the 20 minutes it takes to charge up to 300 miles of range. By offering Europe’s most reliable, convenient and joyful charging experience, we aim to inspire millions to drive on solar and wind energy so that together we can curb climate change. Fastned is listed at Euronext Amsterdam (AMS: FAST).