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The Real Reason Why Charging is SO Expensive...
Summary
Fastned operates a network of charging stations for electric vehicles in the UK, having established its first ultra-rapid charging hub in Sunderland in 2019. The company focuses on enhancing customer experience by providing convenient and sheltered charging locations. Fastned's strategy emphasizes building high-quality charging hubs that cater to the needs of EV drivers while addressing the challenges of urban planning and grid connections.
The charging experience for EV drivers in the UK is perceived positively, while non-EV drivers often hold negative views. The charging industry is investing significantly to enhance infrastructure in response to the growing demand for electric vehicles. Fastned aims to improve driver confidence and perception through consistent and reliable charging experiences.
Fastned recommends a minimum of eight chargers for charging hubs, with the number expected to grow as demand increases. The Newcastle Airport site features 12 chargers, all capable of delivering 400 kilowatts of power, and is designed to enhance the customer experience. The company faces challenges with escalating grid fees and advocates for government intervention to address VAT discrepancies in charging costs.
The development of charging hubs involves complex legal negotiations with grid operators and local authorities, which can significantly delay the process. A joint venture with Places for London aims to streamline these efforts by focusing on enhancing the charging experience for drivers in the capital. Fastned's strategy relies heavily on local council relationships and land acquisition, which may not be replicable in other regions.
Perspectives
Analysis of charging infrastructure development and user experience.
Fastned
- Operates a network of charging stations for electric vehicles in the UK
- Focuses on enhancing customer experience with convenient and sheltered charging locations
- Invests significantly to improve infrastructure in response to growing EV demand
- Recommends a minimum of eight chargers for hubs to ensure reliability
- Advocates for government intervention to address VAT discrepancies in charging costs
- Emphasizes the importance of design features for user experience
Critics of Charging Infrastructure
- Perceive the charging experience negatively, especially among non-EV drivers
- Highlight the complexities and delays in legal negotiations for infrastructure development
- Question the effectiveness of current infrastructure in meeting future demand
- Raise concerns about escalating grid fees impacting operational costs
- Critique the reliance on government signals for investment certainty
Neutral / Shared
- Charging industry is investing significantly to enhance infrastructure
- Legal complexities can hinder rapid deployment of charging hubs
Metrics
locations
over 88,000 public charges units
total public charging points in the UK
This number indicates the growing infrastructure supporting electric vehicles.
there are over 88,000 public charges right here in the UK
operational_years
operational in the UK since 2019 years
duration of Fastned's operations in the UK
This shows the company's experience and commitment to the UK market.
we are operational for since 2019 in the UK
investment
£6 billion GBP
total investment committed by the charging industry by 2030
This investment is crucial for improving EV charging infrastructure ahead of demand.
the charging sector as a whole is committing 6 billion in investment to 2030
reliability
99%
Fastned's reliability milestone
Achieving this reliability is essential for maintaining customer confidence.
we've hit that 99% milestone quite considerably
current EV percentage
5%
percentage of electric vehicles on the road today
This indicates the significant potential for growth in EV adoption.
5% of EVs on the road today
chargers
12 units
number of chargers at the Newcastle Airport site
This indicates a significant capacity to serve EV drivers at a key transport hub.
It's a 12 charge of hub.
power_capacity
400 kilowatts
power capacity of each charger
High power capacity allows for faster charging, improving user experience.
They're all 400 kilowatt charges.
other
13 operational sites units
number of charging sites opened by Fastned in the North East
This indicates Fastned's commitment to expanding EV infrastructure in the region.
we've got 13 operational in the Northeast now.
Key entities
Timeline highlights
00:00–05:00
Fastned operates charging stations for electric vehicles in the UK, having established its first ultra-rapid charging hub in Sunderland in 2019. The company focuses on enhancing customer experience by providing convenient and sheltered charging locations.
- Fastned builds and manages charging stations for electric vehicles, similar to petrol stations for electric cars
- Tom Hurst, the UK Country Director for Fastned, highlights the importance of providing an excellent customer experience at their charging locations
- Fastned has been operational in the UK since 2019 and established the first ultra-rapid charging hub in Sunderland, demonstrating their commitment to regional growth
- The company aims to create charging sites that offer shelter and convenience, allowing drivers to stay dry while charging their vehicles
- Tom discusses the challenges of constructing canopies at charging locations, which often involve complex planning and grid connection issues
- Fastned is dedicated to advancing their projects and overcoming obstacles to deliver more charging hubs that meet the needs of electric vehicle users
05:00–10:00
The charging experience for EV drivers in the UK is perceived positively, while non-EV drivers have a negative view. The charging industry is investing £6 billion by 2030 to enhance infrastructure in response to growing demand for electric vehicles.
- Two narratives exist regarding the charging experience in the UK. EV drivers find it improving, while non-EV drivers perceive it negatively
- The charging industry is investing significantly, committing £6 billion by 2030. This investment aims to enhance infrastructure ahead of the growing demand for electric vehicles
- Media perception plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion about EV charging. It influences potential drivers confidence in making the switch to electric vehicles
- Consistency and reliability are essential for building trust among EV drivers. Customers need assurance that charging stations will work and provide a quality experience
- Fastned has achieved a reliability milestone of 99%, which exceeds government standards. This level of reliability is vital for maintaining customer confidence in their network
- The number of charging columns at a site impacts driver confidence. A minimum of six chargers is now considered necessary to ensure a reliable experience for users
10:00–15:00
Fastned recommends a minimum of eight chargers for charging hubs, with the number expected to grow as demand increases. The Newcastle Airport site features 12 chargers, all capable of delivering 400 kilowatts of power, and is designed to enhance the customer experience.
- A minimum of eight chargers is now recommended for charging hubs, depending on location and user traffic. This number may continue to grow as demand increases
- Chargepoint operators face challenges in managing overcapacity while avoiding excessive costs. Balancing the number of chargers with user demand is crucial to prevent long queues
- Fastned invests in underground redundancy to future-proof their sites. This allows for quick installation of additional chargers and helps maintain reliable service during peak times
- The Newcastle Airport site features a drive-through design, enhancing the customer experience for various vehicle types. This hub includes 12 chargers, all capable of delivering 400 kilowatts of power
- The Newcastle site is part of a multimodal transport development. It integrates high-power charging with other transport facilities, including a holding pen for taxis and a new park-and-ride facility
- Land scarcity in the UK complicates the establishment of charging infrastructure. Fastned has opted for drive-through hubs to improve accessibility, despite the prevalence of parking bay arrangements
15:00–20:00
Fastned has opened 13 operational charging sites in the North East, emphasizing the importance of local relationships for their success. The company focuses on building charging hubs in areas of need rather than just high-demand locations like London.
- The North East is a crucial region for Fastned, as it was where they opened their first station in Sunderland. This area has been a leader in the mobility transition, supported by motivated politicians and a strong academic cluster
- Fastneds commitment to the North East has resulted in the opening of 13 operational sites, with plans for more. Their approach focuses on building charging hubs where they are needed, rather than just in high-demand areas like London
- The company emphasizes the importance of relationships with local councils, which has contributed to their success in the North East. They have worked closely with local authorities to deliver on their promises and build trust
- Land acquisition poses challenges for charge point operators, as securing agreements with landowners is essential for establishing infrastructure. Discussions about land utilization and returns for partners are critical in these negotiations
- Power requirements at charging sites can create additional complications for development. Fastned must navigate these challenges while ensuring they have the necessary power to operate their high-capacity charging hubs
- Fastneds strategy includes investing in sites that will remain operational for many years. They aim to create a reliable network of charging hubs that enhance connectivity for electric vehicle users across the UK
20:00–25:00
The development of charging hubs involves complex legal negotiations with grid operators and local authorities, which can significantly delay the process. A joint venture with Places for London aims to streamline these efforts by focusing on enhancing the charging experience for drivers in the capital.
- Grid operators must be contacted to determine connection costs and the length of cable needed to bring power from the main grid to the charging location
- Legal negotiations are a significant source of delays in the development process. These negotiations often take longer than agreements with landlords or grid operators
- Independent distribution network operators may also be involved. This adds another layer of complexity to the negotiations and agreements required for site development
- Convincing local authorities of the value of a proposed charging hub is essential. The hub must enhance the built environment and local transport ecosystem
- The competition for land is increasing, especially in high-traffic areas with available amenities. However, data centers typically target different types of locations
- The joint venture with Places for London streamlines the process by dealing with a single property owner. This owner is motivated by public interest rather than just financial returns
25:00–30:00
Fastned is focusing on building high-quality charging hubs that enhance customer experience and community engagement. The company faces challenges with escalating grid fees and advocates for government intervention to address VAT discrepancies in charging costs.
- Fastneds partnership with Places for London focuses on building high-quality charging hubs that prioritize customer experience and community engagement
- The collaboration aims to create flagship charging locations that provide large-scale infrastructure for electric vehicle drivers, moving beyond basic parking bays
- Charging costs in the UK are influenced by several factors, including energy purchase costs, grid fees, and maintenance expenses. These costs vary significantly between sites
- Fastned faces challenges with escalating grid fees that increase year on year. This trend impacts the overall cost structure for rapid charging infrastructure
- The company invests in infrastructure ahead of the expected growth in electric vehicle usage. This strategy spreads initial capital expenditures over time to ensure long-term sustainability
- VAT discrepancies between public and home charging create an inequality that Fastned seeks to address. The company advocates for government intervention to level the playing field