UK's first privately-funded EV recharging network announced
Thu 13 October 2011
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Chargemaster Plc has announced the launch of POLAR, the first privately funding nationwide electric vehicle charging network. The initial roll-out will include around 100 towns and cities and provide 4,000 fully installed EV charging bays by the end of 2012.
In each of the 100 towns and cities, POLAR says that it will operate around 40 publicly available charging bays and this will provide a core strategic nationwide infrastructure enabling electric cars to be bought and used in many towns that previously were not practically equipped for electric cars. The 4,000 unit network is designed to build on and complement the Government supported Plugged in Places (PiPs) programme which is focused on eight regions in the UK.
Chargemaster also announced plans for a £25m flotation on the day of the recharging infrastructure announcement (see Daily Telegraph news link).
David Martell, Chief Executive of Chargemaster said: “For the UK to lead the way in low carbon motoring there is a real need for a comprehensive, targeted, safe and accessible EV infrastructure across all major towns in the country. Most large manufacturers plan to introduce a plug-in vehicle to the market by 2014. This shift is stimulated by OEMs need to meet stringent EU carbon reduction targets of face significant fines. For the British consumer to feel comfortable with switching to EVs, it is plainly obvious that a targeted and comprehensive nationwide charging network is necessary. “
Speaking at the POLAR launch, the Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said: “Today’s announcement by Chargemaster is exactly the kind of private sector led initiative that we need to drive the development of our national network of recharging infrastructure”
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