BP Pulse, The EV Network (EVN) and NEC Group announced the launch of a public electric vehicle (EV) charging hub on the NEC Campus in the West Midlands near the UK. Coined the “Gigahub,” this location was officially opened by The Chancellor of the Exchequer, The Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP.
“This is the biggest private investment in electric charging in the UK and is a huge vote of confidence in Britain’s role as a leader in green industries,” The Chancellor of the Exchequer, The Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, said. “The ground-breaking site will be a major transport hub for the future and marks a significant step in our rollout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the country.”
The companies said Gigahub will help serve the seven million visitors attracted to the NEC Campus annually, along with a wide range of other road users that make up the area’s average yearly traffic count of 60 million. It is accessed via the main NEC Campus through road, less than one mile from junction 6 on the M42 and just 2.4 miles from junction 7A for the M6.
Capable of charging 180 EVs simultaneously, the Gigahub features ultra-fast 16x 300KW DC chargers, of which two are designated accessible bays. These chargers are capable of charging 30 EVs simultaneously and the site also has a further 150 points for 7KW charging including additional designated accessible bays. All visitors will also have access to a Starbucks Coffee drive-thru.
The EV Network (EVN) designed, developed, and constructed the EV charging Gigahub after signing a long-term contract with the NEC Group to bring EV charging infrastructure to the entire campus and work with BP Pulse on several projects launched throughout 2023. BP Pulse said it worked closely with EV Network and will use its expertise to operate the new hub. The NEC Group said its involvement provides the essential foundation for the project – the land.
