Dutch company Fastned has announced an investment of over £3m as it opened Northern Ireland’s fastest EV charging hub in Co Down.
Fastned said the hub at shopping destination The Boulevard in Banbridge was a landmark in meeting NI’s need for faster charging.
The ultra-rapid 400kW hub is Fastned’s first in the region and its biggest in the UK, with 12 bays offering 100 miles of charging in five minutes, using 100% renewable energy.
The company said its second hub will open in Antrim in March, with a similar offering.
Fastned said it had identified NI as a key growth area due to increasing demand from EV drivers here. At the moment, ultra-rapid charging makes up just 4.5% of the charging network, with just 687 chargers.
Fastned said its mission was to “accelerate the electric transition” and bring more choice to Northern Ireland’s almost 23,000 EV drivers.
But it said roll-out of ultra-rapid hubs was challenging because of the high-capacity grid connections required, and the time it takes to secure connections.
Fastned said a faster scale-up of charging infrastructure is needed to meet the UK government’s target of 300,000 charge points by 2030.
Tom Hurst, UK and Ireland country director at Fastned, said: “Northern Ireland is in desperate need of reliable ultra-rapid charging infrastructure, that’s why we’re proud and excited to be opening our biggest and best charging hub in the UK, in Banbridge.
“This hub is not only a game-changer for Northern Ireland’s EV drivers, but it marks our first step into the region.
“We’re excited to see what’s next and to work with others to improve availability of charging infrastructure in Northern Ireland.”
Mark McCall, chair at Electric Vehicle Association Northern Ireland (EVANI), said: “With a prime position on our strategic road network, and ultra-rapid charging speeds, this hub will provide a super-fast boost for travellers on the route between Belfast and Dublin.
“Expanding access to fast, reliable charging infrastructure makes it even more convenient for electric vehicle drivers to travel far and wide, and is a key step toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.”
Fastned said the hub was its first since 2019 in a drive-thru format, and would be “an important lifeline” for drivers travelling from Belfast to Dublin.
The company now has 31 charging hubs around the UK, and 347 across six European countries.