Allego opens first ultra-rapid EV 200kW charging hub in Westbury

Chargepoint operator Allego has opened the first ever ultra-rapid charging site in the Wiltshire town of Westbury with four connectors each returning charging speeds of up to 200kW.

Operated by Allego, the site is located alongside the A3098 at the Leigh Park Community Centre and is one of just a few ultra-rapid charge points in the wider county. As well as serving local residents, it will serve as a charge point for drivers passing through the area.

It is estimated that the 200kW charging speed will allow for motorists to charge their electric vehicles in as little 20 minutes. This will, however, depend on the vehicle’s charging speed.

The ultra-rapid charging site’s development coincides with reports that Wiltshire is behind the UK national average when it comes to public charging, and comes as the council considers a 15-year programme that could delivery over 2,000 new charge points countywide by 2040.

Moreover, it is expected that the number of EVs in Wiltshire will increase more than fivefold by 2030 as a result of the UK Government’s clean transport initiatives including the Electric Car Grant and its £200,000,000 investment into public charger rollout.

Following the opening of the Westbury hub, Paz Sharma, Allego managing director, said: “EVs have a critical and increasing role in achieving net zero ambitions, and convenient, reliable charge points are key to encouraging their adoption.

“We’re proud to deliver the first ultra-rapid charging station for Westbury, strengthening the town’s charging network and complementing the wider county’s clean transport efforts. This new site makes charging faster and easier for drivers, helping to open the door for more people to transition to electric vehicles.”

Allego currently operates a network of 64 charging stations across the UK as part of a wider 35,000-strong network across Europe. The Netherlands-based firm seeking to build its presence in Wiltshire by exploring partnerships with local businesses and venues to install public charging hubs and support the local economy.

To check the UK’s best and worst areas for UK public EV charging, the EVA recently launched a new constituency by constituency map.

As well as giving residents the opportunity to directly lobby local representatives on how public infrastructure is rolled out in their constituency, the map allows local authorities, chargepoint operators, and policymakers to compare with neighbours and regional averages.

The map can be accessed by clicking here.