National Grid to roll out superfast electric car charging network

The National Grid is looking into plans to install 50 superfast electric car charging points on motorways across England and Wales.

According to the Financial Times, the strategically placed 350kW charging stations would also be implemented over a similar network in Scotland and would aim to put 90% of drivers within 50 miles of a charging point.

A spokesperson for the electricity and gas utility company said: "We want to show that infrastructure needn’t be a barrier. This is not about National Grid charging vehicles, but National Grid enabling the charging to happen.”

National Grid said the new stations would be able to charge electric vehicles in as little as five minutes.

READ MORE: Can you actually save money going electric in 2018? & Cost of rapid charging an EV up 50% in eight months – but those who do most of their charging at home still get great value

They’ll also have enough power to charge the next generation of electric vehicles that will demand a higher kilowattage than offered by existing charging points – especially if they are to reach their promised recharging times.

Each station will have 50 chargers meaning 100 points will be provided for traffic in both directions.

National Grid says the move will give motorists the confidence to go electric.

The spokesperson explained: “Range anxiety is consistently given as a major reason as to what deters consumers from buying EVs and we have a solution that addresses this.”

National Grid will wire the chargers directly into its existing electricity network although there are no plans for the company to run it.

The installation of the network is forecast to cost between £500 million to £1 billion at current prices.

The spokesman said: "We think the rollout of the charging points should be structured and co-ordinated. Rather than connecting one customer at a time and having a piecemeal approach, provide the infrastructure in a co-ordinated way.

“Our solution is about future proofing; not just for cars but for light goods vehicles and trucks in the future.

"If you overlay the motorway network over the transmission network, there is a synergy. The electricity transmission network runs close to motorway network and likely to be most efficient connection at many sites.”

Elsewhere, Chargemaster is looking to introduce 150kW charging points to power newer electric vehicles.

Charging points are also set to become mandatory at all petrol and service stations in the near future, after former transport minister John Hayes, introduced the Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill late last year.

Find the latest electric car news here.