MFG is to invest £50m in charging hubs over 2023, providing a further 360 ultra-rapid 150kW chargers on its network.

Each MFG hub has between four and eight 150kW ultra-rapid chargers

The independent forecourt operator already has 54 hubs open throughout the UK with 271 chargers in operation. It’s now started construction on 12 EV hubs so far this year, each providing between four and eight ultra-rapid chargers.

The new hubs form part of its commitment to invest £400m in EV infrastructure by 2030 and underscore its adoption of a dual fuel strategy. The company has said it places equal importance on rolling out ultra-rapid EV charging hub as on continuing its existing fossil fuel infrastructure. It’s planning to have ultra-rapid charging across its network by 2035.

MFG installed a record 271 ultra-rapid chargers across its network in 2022, with an additional 31 hubs, plus a further 175 chargers in construction.

While the UK’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders recently renewed its call for increased charging infrastructure to support the growing numbers of EVs on the roads, MFG says it “continues to invest ahead of the curve to build driver’s confidence in electricity as a fuel source” and added that it’s “committed to leading the forecourt sector in transitioning to a cleaner future”.

William Bannister, CEO, said: “We were proud to continue our significant investment into the UK’s EV infrastructure throughout 2022, opening a record number of EV hubs across our network. Our ambition was to invest ahead of the curve, and give drivers who were contemplating purchasing an electric vehicle the confidence that they could travel as easily as with a petrol or hybrid vehicle.

“Although we have a way to go to achieve this, our investment in 2022 has set us on a positive trajectory. We have set ourselves another ambitious target for openings in 2023, with the plan to energise 360 chargers whilst delivering the best experience possible for our customers.”

Last year also saw MFG placed joint first in Zap-Map’s annual public charging network satisfaction rankings, scoring highly for reliability and ease of use (see results here). That’s despite MFG only being in its second year as a charge point operator.

The forecourt firm has said it expects to continue to invest to improve service for customers by creating EV hubs with a leading retail offering and valeting services. It’s invested a further £50m in the last year to improve its retail, food-to-go and valeting offer to consumers.