Extra to boost motorway sites with nearly 200 new Ionity chargers

Motorway service operator Extra MSA plans to almost quadruple its EV charging provision within the next 16 months.

The service station firm, which operates eight roadside locations across England, says it will boost ultra-rapid provision across its network by 290% between now and the end of 2026 through its partnership with charging giant Ionity.

It plans to increase charger numbers at its motorway locations from 60 to 234, with improved provision at all of its sites.

It has already begun work on the expansion with major upgrades at its Cambridge, Cobham and Peterborough service stations which all now boast 24 Ionity chargers offering up to 350kW.

By the end of the year Ionity will also have significantly increased its offering at Extra’s Leeds Skelton Lake, Blackburn and Baldock Services, covering the M1, M65 and A1 (M).

Extra was the first service station operator to meet the government’s target to have at least six ultra-rapid chargers at every motorway service area but says it is responding to ever-growing demand for fast en-route charging.

Tom Dobson, CEO at Extra MSA Group, said: “Ionity’s 350kW ultra-fast charge points are some of the highest-powered and most efficient facilities available, reflecting our commitment to investing in the best possible customer experience.

“We know that we have a part to play in driving forward the net zero agenda, so we’re determined to expand our EV charging provision by almost 300% by the end of 2026 and build on our legacy as the UK’s leading motorway service provider for our EV commitment.”

Andreas Atkins, Ionity’s country manager for the UK and Ireland, added: “Increasing 350kW chargers across England to meet the 2026 target, shows the demand for more sustainable travel, and aligns with our commitment to more than double the number of publicly available stations and charging points in the UK for the third consecutive year.

“By continuing to expand our ultra-rapid charging infrastructure at key locations, EV drivers can feel assured they’ll have access to convenient, reliable, affordable power to fuel their electric travel across Europe, all powered by 100% renewable energy.”

While the UK now has more than 80,000 public charging devices, the country’s motorway network was criticised by ministers earlier this year. The Public Affairs Committee noted in March that a third of service stations still had not met the six-charger target set for the end of 2023. It also criticised the Department for Transport for failing to allocate any of the £950 million Rapid Charge Fund earmarked to support charger roll-out on the strategic road network. That fund has since been scrapped.