Sunderland AFC has partnered with Raw Charging to launch the North East’s largest public electric vehicle charging hub, located at the Stadium of Light.

The landmark £750,000 installation brings 20 ultra-rapid charging bays to the stadium, powered entirely by 100% renewable energy and open to Sunderland AFC’s supporters and the wider public.

Notably, drivers can charge for free with Raw Rewards (see below) following the opening of the hub. Free charging will run on Thursday 8 October and Friday 9 October.

Equipped with 16 ultra-rapid 150kW chargers and four lightning-fast 300kW units, the hub introduces a vital clean-energy facility to the local community. The chargers support contactless payments and are compatible with all major EV charging apps.

Raw Charging is funding, operating and maintaining the entire charging infrastructure. The chargers will be branded as part of Ready Eco, further strengthening SAFC’s visibility as a leader in sustainable initiatives.

This partnership marks another major milestone in Raw’s expanding UK-wide network, following recent installations at major leisure and hospitality venues, including Cardigan Fields, Knights Park, XScape Yorkshire and Milton Keynes.

Jason Simpson, CEO of Raw Charging, said: “This project is a major new facility for the city and aligns perfectly with our mission to support sustainable travel. By providing ultra-rapid charging powered by 100% renewable energy, we are ensuring that EV drivers have access to reliable and future-proof charging infrastructure.”

Paul Kingsmore, chief operations officer, Sunderland AFC, added: “At Sunderland AFC, we are committed to making a real difference through our Ready Eco programme, and this partnership with Raw Charging is another step towards achieving our sustainability ambitions. By installing a state-of-the-art EV charging hub at the Stadium of Light, we are not only improving the experience for fans and visitors but also supporting the wider transition to cleaner, greener transport in the North East.”

Customers can claim their free charging at the new hub by signing up to Raw Rewards: https://rawcharging.com/rewards. Free charging is only available via the ChargePoint app and not via contactless payment.