Ultra-fast public charger installed at Braintree Electric Forecourt

Gridserve has installed what it claims is the UK’s fastest car charger for public usage at Braintree Electric Forecourt in Essex. Capable of delivering a maximum output of up to 360kW, it can add an approximate 100 miles in less than five minutes.

Hardware and software for DC chargers / November 2, 2022

By Liam McLoughlin

The fast charger is capable of adding 100 miles in less than five minutes

The charger is suitable for all EV drivers with two CCS connectors with long cables, contactless payment and easy access for wheelchair users, and its positioning at the site allows for HGVs and cars towing caravans to charge with ease. The installation of this ABB Terra 360 charger is a trial of this technology which Gridserve says, if successful, could become a regular at Electric Forecourts and Electric Super Hubs on the Gridserve Electric Highway.

The company states: "Braintree Electric Forecourt continues to be one of the most advanced EV charging facilities in the world and this latest addition to the site now enables 36 EVs to be charged simultaneously. The location is an EV experience destination, along with on-site facilities and retail offerings, visitors can also test drive the latest EVs, investigate deals from Gridserve Car Leasing and find out more about living with and charging an electric car."

The company adds that this experience is welcomed by drivers with Braintree Electric Forecourt being the fifth most popular EV charging location in England, according to data from Zap-Map for Q2 2022.

Gridserve CEO Toddington Harper commented: “It is fantastic to have the UK’s first 360kW capable charger open to the public at Braintree Electric Forecourt. By installing this latest innovation now, we are offering state of the art charging technology to our customers. It can be used with a variety of electric vehicles including HGVs and cars towing caravans. 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."

Frank Muehlon, CEO of ABB E-mobility added: “We are delighted to be partnering with Gridserve to bring our latest innovation in high power charging to the UK market. The Braintree Electric Forecourt represents the future for the UK consumer e-mobility experience, and we are proud to be supporting Gridserve on this milestone launch.”

Gridserve is aiming to deliver over 100 Electric Forecourts. Along with those already opened in Braintree and Norwich, construction has now begun on London Gatwick Airport Electric Forecourt, which is due to open in 2023. Next sites include Stevenage, Gateshead and Uckfield with planning permission also granted for Electric Forecourts in Bromborough, Plymouth and Markham Vale.