Fastned and Vereniging Elektrische Rijders (VER) welcomed policymakers, local authorities, charge point operators, fleet leaders and industry experts to the inaugural Plugged In Café in London earlier this month.

Inspired by Fastned and VER’s successful EV Café events in the Netherlands, the first UK edition brought together voices from across the public and private sectors to explore how stronger partnerships can accelerate London’s transition to electric mobility.

Hosted at The Conduit in Covent Garden, the event created a new forum for collaboration, bringing together key stakeholders from across the EV ecosystem to exchange ideas, tackle shared challenges and help shape the future of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Designing an EV city around real-world charging needs

The event featured three expert panel discussions exploring the biggest opportunities and barriers shaping London’s rapidly evolving EV charging landscape.

The opening session examined how charging infrastructure must adapt to serve an increasingly diverse range of users. Moderated by Ellen Hiep (VER), the panel brought together Olly Craughan (DPD UK), Tanya Sinclair (Electric Vehicles UK) and Judith Hayton (Transport for London).

From private motorists and commercial fleets to taxis and last-mile delivery operators, the discussion highlighted the vastly different charging needs across the transport network. Panellists agreed that a diverse range of users can only be served by a diverse range of charging solutions, with no single approach able to meet every need.

As London electrifies, on-street charging and ultra-rapid charging hubs will play a vital role in supporting those without access to home charging, while enabling businesses and fleets to transition to electric. Understanding real-world behaviour and the operational needs of different users will be essential when planning the charging infrastructure of the future.

Building the charging ecosystem

Next, panellists examined the wider charging ecosystem, exploring the building blocks needed to support the EV transition.

Moderated by Fastned, this panel brought together Eleanor Clark (Transport for London), John Colgan (Places for London) and Zak Bond (Clean Cities) to explore what it will take to deliver charging infrastructure at scale.

The discussion concluded that building a future-ready charging network is about far more than installing charge points. Grid capacity, strategic land availability, investment, digital technology and strong public-private partnerships were all identified as essential ingredients in creating a reliable, accessible and resilient charging ecosystem.

Unlocking London’s charging future

Rounding off the afternoon before guests continued the conversation over drinks and nibbles, the final panel, “Policy, Planning and Permits - How do we unlock London’s charging future?”, brought together Tom Hurst (Fastned), Jarrod Birch (Charge UK) and Mark Fletcher (London Councils), with Ellen Hiep returning to moderate a lively discussion on the policy and planning changes needed to accelerate London’s EV charging rollout.

The conversation highlighted the critical role local authorities can play in removing barriers to deployment through clear electrification strategies, consistent planning decisions and stronger collaboration with industry partners.

Collaboration is key

A recurring theme throughout the afternoon was that London’s charging ecosystem must be designed around the needs of an increasingly diverse mix of users, from private drivers and commercial fleets to taxis and public transport providers.

Commercial fleets were recognised as a defining force in the evolution of new mobility, with speakers highlighting the importance of charging infrastructure that reflects the operational realities of businesses transitioning to electric.

While reducing unnecessary car movements and enabling home charging remain important levers for decarbonisation, the discussion reinforced that accessible public charging, including on-street charging and ultra-rapid charging hubs, will be essential to ensuring no driver or business is left behind.

Speakers also highlighted the need for more opportunities for national government, local authorities and the private sector to work together, sharing requirements, addressing challenges and finding solutions to deliver charging infrastructure more quickly and equitably.

Looking ahead

The inaugural Plugged In Café highlighted the value of bringing together experts from across government, transport and industry to share knowledge, address common challenges and identify practical solutions for the future of EV charging.

Fastned and VER would like to thank all speakers, moderators and attendees who contributed to the success of the event. Following the positive response, planning is already underway for the next Plugged In Café. 

To find out more or register your interest in future events, please get in touch with Denise Cannas (denise.cannas@fastned.nl).

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.”

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Contact

For media enquiries, including interview requests, please contact Hannah Fairley, UK Public Relations Manager at hannah.fairley@fastned.co.uk or on 07584117170

The site is located off the A921 which joins the M90 leading to Edinburgh and Northern Scotland. This is the first ultra-rapid (300kW) charging hub North of the Forth Road Bridge, offering up to 300 miles of range in 20 minutes to drivers travelling to and from the capital.

The launch means Fastned now has 25 hubs in the UK and three hubs in Scotland. An initial six charging bays at the site will be supplied with 100% renewable energy.

Drivers charging at the Dalgety Bay hub will have access to a wide range of amenities, including Aldi, Greggs and Subway. Fastned’s reliable and easy-to-use ultra-rapid chargers, offering a range of payment methods, mean drivers in Scotland can charge easily with confidence and get back on the road as quickly as possible.

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 fast charging is available to them. This helps to accelerate the EV transition in Scotland and the UK as a whole.

Commenting on the new station, Tom Hurst, UK Country Manager, Fastned said: “Ultra-rapid charging is still very much needed in Scotland, so I'm delighted to announce that our Dalgety Bay charging hub is now open. It's the first ultra-rapid charging hub North of the Forth Road Bridge which will make the journey to and from the North of Scotland much easier for EV drivers."

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Contact

For media enquiries, including interview requests, please contact Hannah Fairley, UK Public Relations Manager at hannah.fairley@fastned.co.uk or on 07584117170