ABB equipment will support the new GRIDSERVE Electric Highway multi-site charging network across the UK, making electric vehicle charging easier and more accessible for drivers across the country.

ABB’s acclaimed Ultrafast DC and Fast DC electric vehicle (EV) chargers will support UK’s new GRIDSERVE charging network as both companies seek to drive the adoption of electric vehicles. This is key to increasing the momentum of the growing EV market, which experienced a three-fold increase in registrations in the UK from 2019 to 2020*.

The multi-million pound GRIDSERVE Electric Highway will cover 85 percent of the UK’s motorway network, plus towns and cities across the country. The charging network will be supported by ABB’s Ultrafast DC 350 kW chargers at 50 of the new Electric Charging Hubs, with each site having between 6 and 12 charging units. A further 300 Fast DC 60 kW chargers will be used to upgrade 150 existing sites acquired by GRIDSERVE from Ecotricity.

GRIDSERVE selected ABB for its proven reliable and flexible technology, which includes the ability to support GRIDSERVE’s Autocharge, a new feature for most UK EV drivers that recognises the unique identity of cars and initiates automatic charging power and payments. ABB’s ability to support rapid deployment was another reason, with more than 10 new Electric Hubs planned to be in service before the end of 2021.

GRIDSERVE CEO Toddington Harper said, “GRIDSERVE’s purpose is to deliver sustainable energy and move the needle on climate change. We’ve chosen to use ABB EV chargers as they have the technology and capability to help deliver our ambitious plans for the GRIDSERVE Electric Highway network, and provide the best possible charging experience for EV drivers.”

Frank Muehlon, president of ABB’s E-mobility Division said, “GRIDSERVE’s choice of ABB for its Electric Highway is a notable endorsement of our leadership in e-mobility, our strong relationship and shared desire to revolutionise EV charging in the UK.”

This latest project builds on ABB’s experience of delivering EV chargers for GRIDSERVE’s inaugural Electric Forecourt in Braintree, Essex. The forecourt is part of the company’s ‘sun-to-wheel’ infrastructure built to deliver low cost, net zero carbon energy to every vehicle that uses one of GRIDSERVE’s chargers. They use power generated by solar canopies above the chargers together with a network of hybrid solar farms. The focus is to make EV ownership practical and realistic for thousands of drivers who don’t have access to private chargers.

Since entering the e-mobility market in 2010, ABB has sold more than 400,000 electric vehicle chargers across 85-plus markets, including over 20,000 fast chargers.

*Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders