An EV charging hub said to be the most powerful in Europe is to open in Oxford later this year; the first of 40 planned for the UK.

The Superhub will have up to 10MW of power on site, initially powering 38 fast and ultra-rapid chargers

The hub, first announced two years ago, will have up to 10MW of power on site, initially powering 38 fast and ultra-rapid chargers. These will include 10 Fastned 300kW chargers, 12 Tesla 250kW Superchargers and 16 Wenea 7-22kW charge points. This will scale up over time to help meet the need for EV charging in the area for the next 30 years.

The hub is the result of a project between Oxford City Council, Pivot Power, Fastned, Tesla Superchargers and EV charging services provider Wenea.

The site, at Redbridge Park & Ride, is said to differ from other UK charging hubs by being directly connected to the high voltage national electricity grid.

This enables it to provide the power needed to charge hundreds of EVs at the same time quickly, without putting strain on the local electricity network or requiring costly upgrades.

The network, developed by Pivot Power, has the capacity to expand to key locations throughout Oxford – ensuring it can meet mass EV charging needs, from buses and taxis to commercial fleets.

The site is the first of up to 40 Superhubs being delivered, all combining energy storage and high-volume grid connections to quickly charge large numbers of EVs at the same time and enable more renewable energy for the UK.

The Oxford announcement is a major step forward in the completion of the Energy Superhub Oxford (ESO) project, due to open in Q4 this year, which provides a model for cities around the UK and the world to cut carbon and improve air quality.

The project comes as Oxford pushes ahead with launching the UK’s first Zero Emission Zone, with an initial pilot starting this August. The ZEZ will see vehicles charged based on their emissions, with EVs able to use the zone for free.

Matt Allen, CEO at Pivot Power, said: “Our goal is to help the UK accelerate net zero by delivering power where it is needed to support the EV and renewable energy revolution. Oxford is one of 40 sites we are developing across the UK, combining up to 2GW of battery storage with high volume power connections for mass EV charging. Energy Superhub Oxford supports EDF’s plan to become Europe’s leading e-mobility energy company by 2023, and is a blueprint we want to replicate right across the country, working hand in hand with local communities to create cleaner, more sustainable cities where people want to live and work.”

Councillor Tom Hayes, Cabinet Member for Green Transport and Zero Carbon Oxford at Oxford City Council, added: “For Oxford to go zero carbon by 2040, we need to electrify a lot more of our transportation. As an innovative city embracing technologies and change, Oxford is the natural home for the UK’s largest public EV charging hub. We are excited to be taking a major step forward in the completion of Energy Superhub Oxford, working closely and superbly with our private sector partners. As an ambitious city, we are excited about the prospect of further innovation and investments, building upon our record of transformational public and private sector delivery.”