Fastned will expand its electric vehicle rapid charge network in the north east of England, with five new fast charging ‘hubs’.

Initially, the hubs will be equipped with two 50kW charge points

The company says the hubs will initially be installed with two 50kW rapid chargers that will be powered by 100% renewable energy.

Locations for the new charging hubs include Gateshead, Blyth, Whitley Bay, Washington and Kingston Park, while two other Fastned stations are currently under development in Newcastle and Sunderland as part of the Go Ultra Low NE programme – adding to the 88 stations in the Netherlands and Germany.

The hubs have been co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the UK’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV). Although Fastned is responsible for the design and construction, as well as the operation and maintenance of the charge points, the stations will be owned by the North East Joined Transport Committee.

Michiel Langezaal, CEO Fastned: “Reliable fast charging infrastructure will make fully electric vehicles just as practical as cars with internal combustion engines. Fastned has the ambition to build a European network of 1,000 fast charging stations and aims to build more fast charging stations in the UK.”

Councillor Martin Gannon, chair of the North East Joint Transport Committee and leader of Gateshead Council added: “The hubs will help further establish the North East of England as a leader in electric mobility.”