By introducing 450 new EV charging points at Network Rail-managed car parks, rail passengers with EVs will be able to charge while they travel. Quadrant Transport explores where the new charging points are located and the benefits they will bring.
Powered by guaranteed renewable energy, the EV charging points will provide enough power to fully charge a vehicle in as little as 3-4 hours.
In this phase, Network Rail has powered 160 charging points in Reading, 111 in Manchester, 84 in Edinburgh, 56 in Leeds and 41 in Welwyn Garden City.
The New Charging Points Aim To Push A More Sustainable Railway
By March 2024, EV charging points will be installed across 10 per cent of car parking spaces (approximately 779 spaces) at car parks managed by Network Rail.
Network Rail has said that rail is already the leading form of green public transport and the introduction of over 400 new EV charging marks another milestone in the company’s commitment to a low-emission railway.
The aim is to ensure that rail is environmentally friendly, resilient to climate change and can provide an excellent service for years to come.
Network Rail’s Chief Environment & Sustainability Officer, Jo Lewington, said: “As part of our wider Environmental Sustainability Strategy, we’re working towards delivering a low-emission railway and aiming to reach net-zero emissions by 2045 in Scotland and by 2050 in the rest of Britain. Supporting the move to electric vehicles is a key part of that.”
We hope that by providing affordable, efficient and reliable charging points we can encourage more electric vehicles onto the road and help promote healthier air in and around our stations.
Rail Passengers Will Be Able To Pay For EV Charging Points Quickly
Marked with green parking bays, the new Compleo charging points are said to see passengers being able to pay for what they need quickly and easily via the APCOA Connect app.
APCOA’s Regional Managing Director for UK&I, Kim Challis, said: “We’re really pleased to have developed this solution in conjunction with Compleo to enable charging authentication and easy payment for Network Rail’s EV customers. This solution also provides a significant step towards our sustainability strategy.”
Reflecting how rail needs to become more sustainable, the over 400 new EV charging points will help to set the pathway to a greener railway.