Fastned says it’s one step closer to building a revolutionary indoor hub to transform the charging experience for drivers.

The European ultra-rapid charging network, rated best by drivers in the latest Zapmap rankings, has submitted its planning application to Aberdeen City Council for an ultra-rapid EV charging hub inside one of the city’s warehouses.

This hub will be the first of its kind in the UK and is a brand-new design innovation from Fastned.

Located off Virginia Street, which forms part of Aberdeen’s inner city ring road, the charging hub will reuse the Grampian House warehouse. Fastned plans to install the charging hub within the existing structure to keep drivers sheltered from the wind and rain while they charge. Solar panels will be installed on the existing roof to generate clean energy that will provide power for the site’s facilities.

The sustainable conversion is a brand-new approach to EV charging and is said to drastically reduce the development’s environmental impact while upgrading industrial land and improving the customer experience.

The hub will have 12 ultra-rapid charging bays, offering drivers up to 100 miles of range in five minutes from 400kW chargers. A shop, toilets and seating area will be available inside the building to keep drivers comfortable while they charge.

The hub will use Fastned’s drive-thru format, similar to that found in petrol stations. This will make it easy for drivers to drive in and out of charging bays, improve accessibility for any type of vehicle, cut down the time it takes to access the charger, improve the throughput of vehicles onsite and reduce congestion.

Tom Hurst, UK country director at Fastned, said: “Aberdeen is at the heart of Scotland’s energy transition. It is driving the expansion of offshore renewable energy, and enabling Scotland to become a net exporter of green electricity instead of fossil fuels. This charging hub is perfect for the EV drivers of Aberdeen.

“We’re optimistic that the City Council will see the benefit that the development will bring to the city and how it fits in with its wider decarbonisation strategy. This hub isn’t just about EV charging, it’s about showing what’s possible in an urban environment while making a clear commitment to a cleaner, greener city. We’re looking forward to hearing the final decision and to working with the council to make this hub a reality.”

Stephen Flynn, MP for Aberdeen South, added: “This proposal is good for the city – we need people to make the switch to electric cars and the only way that will happen at scale is if there are many more charging points available. Our city has long been a city of energy innovation, and this proposal from Fastned is yet another example of how we can build a more sustainable future by repurposing existing infrastructure.”