Engenie is to install more than 2,000 rapid charging points across the UK – effectively doubling the UK’s rapid charging network and bringing capability to charge five million EVs a year.

Ian Johnston, CEO, Engenie (centre) with Stéphane Calas (left) and Rahul Kumar of Cube Infrastructure Managers

Enabled through a £35m investment from Cube Infrastructure Fund II, the 50kW chargepoints will be installed at accessible public sites, including supermarkets and retail parks, with more than 100 planned to go live by Christmas.

According to Zap Map, there were 2,189 rapid chargers across the country at the end of May 2019, so this deal will double the current number available.

Ian Johnston, CEO of Engenie, said: “The EV tipping point is coming and this significant investment commitment positions us at the forefront of this burgeoning market.”

He added that “the EV market is marching into the mainstream” and pointed to research indicating that nearly 75% of car buyers are considering an EV as their next vehicle.

Johnston continued: “Those organisations offering public car parking can position themselves for the future by providing new value to customers and driving increased footfall by installing rapid chargers.”

Engenie also said it anticipates making further investments in other networks, EV fleet offerings and digital services.

The £35m investment to support the introduction of the chargers comes from Cube Infrastructure Fund II, a €1.04bn dynamic European infrastructure fund managed by Cube Infrastructure Managers.

Renaud de Matharel, CEO of Cube Infrastructure Managers, said: “With transportation representing about 40% of total energy consumption in the UK and air pollution becoming a fast-growing concern, we see new mobility solutions as a critical factor in achieving energy transition targets and implementing climate change policies.”