Electric car charging pioneer Gridserve has added a new 360kW charger to its forecourt in Braintree, making it the fastest charging point available in the UK.
The Terra 360 charger has been developed by engineering giant ABB, and can add 100 miles of range to an electric car's battery in five minutes.
Gridserve’s newest charger is suitable for all EVs with two CCS connectors, contactless payment and access for wheelchair users. HGVs and commercial vehicles also have access to the new device, as well as drivers towing caravans.
But don't expect to charge your car at 360kW: there actually aren't any EVs on sale at the moment that can accept electricity at that speed. A Porsche Taycan, for example, can only be charged at speeds up to 350kW.
That doesn't mean the new charger is pointless: it can also offer dynamic dual charging, in which two vehicles can be charged at the same time, with the unit distributing the 360kW output between the two in the most efficient fashion.
Gridserve also highlights other upgrades to the new unit, including LED lighting that shows if it's in operation or free, and a pulley system to keep the cables out of the way.
Gridserve says that if successful, the firm could add more 360kW chargers to its Electric Forecourts as well as the Gridserve Electric Highway.
At present, the Braintree site has 36 charging stations, all of which are powered by 100% renewable energy. Earlier this year, the sustainable businesses opened its second forecourt in Norwich, and fully updated its Electric Highway network after acquiring the charges from Ecotricity.
“By installing this latest innovation now, we are offering state of the art charging technology to our customers,” said Gridserve CEO, Toddington Harper.
“We’ve listened to driver feedback that our towing customers needed additional space to charge without decoupling and this new charger installation has given us the opportunity to provide that charging area at Braintree Electric Forecourt.”
Gridserve is aiming to open 100 electric forecourts across the UK, with the next site near Gatwick Airport set to open next year. Once opened, new forecourts in Stevenage, Gateshead and Uckfield will be built, while planning permission has also been granted for stations in Bromborough, Plymouth and Markham Vale.
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