Fastned Wins Another Tender in the UK

AMSTERDAM, April 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Fastned will build and operate fast charging stations in Newcastle and Sunderland

Fastned, a company that is rolling out a network of fast charging stations throughout Europe, has won a tender from the North East Combined Authority (NECA) and Newcastle University to realise two fast charging stations in the city centres of Newcastle and Sunderland. The "Go Ultra Low Filling Stations" will draw on Fastned's experience of building iconic stations that allow multiple electric vehicles (EVs) of any make and model to charge as fast as they possibly can. Each station will house six fast chargers (known as "rapid" chargers in the UK), with two of those at the Newcastle University site being the latest 175kW (and 350kW enabled) chargers. These high powered chargers are capable of charging EVs up to 100 times faster than at home.

Drivers of many of the new EV models that will be released from 2018 onwards will now be able to add 125 miles of range to their cars in under ten minutes, while being sheltered by Fastned's recognisable solar photovoltaic canopies. Meanwhile, all EVs already on the road will still be able to visit the stations to top up their batteries at their maximum charge rate.

As part of the agreement, Fastned will be collaborating closely with Newcastle University's researchers to develop a greater understanding of the impact of EV charging on local electrical grids, and the potential roles for EVs and battery storage in the smart electrical grids of the future. At the same time, Fastned will work with NECA to research and understand business models for electric vehicle infrastructure in the region.

The Newcastle station will be located within the Newcastle University's Newcastle Helix site, while the Sunderland station will be located near the heart of the city responsible for manufacturing the world's most successful EV: the Nissan Leaf.

The project is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the UK Collaboratorium for Research in Infrastructure and Cities (UKCRIC), and the UK Government's Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV). Fastned will manage the stations' design and construction, and operate and maintain them as part of its growing network.

Fastned aims to build many more multi-charger stations all around the UK over the next three years, giving freedom and flexibility to EV drivers, and helping to usher in a revolution in decarbonised transport. In 2017 Fastned also won a tender with Transport for London (TfL) to build and operate fast charging locations in the Greater London area. TfL is currently in the process of developing sites and making them available for Fastned and four other selected parties to bid for.

Notes for editors (not for publication):  

For more information please visit http://www.fastnedcharging.com or check out our pressroom. In the presskit you will find logos, pictures and graphics.

Background information about Fastned:  

Fastned is building a European network of fast-charging stations where all electric cars can charge within 20 minutes. The stations are located at high traffic locations along the highways and in cities. This will give electric cars the freedom to drive across Europe. As of today, Fastned has 67 stations operational in The Netherlands and is working on expanding its fast charging network to the rest of Europe. Fastned is preparing the construction of fast charging stations in Germany, The United Kingdom and Belgium. Fastned is listed on the Nxchange stock exchange.

Fastned is rolling out its network of fast charging stations in response to the rapidly increasing numbers of EVs in Europe. Car manufacturers are investing billions of Euros in the development of, and production capacity for, EVs. More and more EVs are hitting the roads, which drives the need for charging infrastructure. Fastned is responding to this development by building the service stations of the future. Co-founder and CEO Michiel Langezaal: "We are the Shell of the future, only our energy comes from the sun and the wind." For more information go to http://www.fastnedcharging.com.

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