This is the first of an initial five hubs planned by the public/private joint venture between Places for London and Fastned, which is intended to improve access to charging infrastructure for the growing number of EV drivers in London and across the UK.
London leads the way in the UK's EV uptake, with around 193,000 plug-in electric cars and vans already registered in the capital. EV numbers on the road in London are projected to reach between 1-1.4 million by 2030, making up to 49 per cent of London’s car and van fleet. This rising demand would mean Londoners need 40,000 to 60,000 chargers, including up to 4,000 rapids and this scale of infrastructure is needed to help reach the Mayor of London’s 2030 net zero carbon target.
London has 21,600 charge points to date, which is around a third of all EV charging infrastructure across the country and more than any other UK region. The Fastned/Places for London joint venture will enable a faster expansion of charging hubs that meet the growing needs of drivers making the switch to EVs and the Mayor’s mission for a greener London.
The Hatton Cross hub will have 12 ultra-rapid charging bays, serving hundreds of car and van drivers a day. All 12 will be powered by 100 per cent certified renewable energy, giving drivers the confidence that the energy used is sustainably sourced and aligning with both the Mayor of London and Hillingdon’s aspirations to support the transition to cleaner vehicles within the capital.
The new EV charging hubs will be sheltered by Fastned’s yellow solar canopy, which is covered by CCTV, making charging comfortable and safe for everyone in all weather. Hub customers will have 24/7 customer support via app and phone, available in multiple languages. Toilet facilities will also be available for hub users.
Every hub delivered by the Fastned/Places for London joint venture will bring benefits to the local community, and a proportion of revenue from each of the first five hubs will go towards community projects. Significantly, the hubs delivered through the joint venture will be accessible; all bays will be extra wide, and two bays will be fully accessible as per the latest British Standards Institution's guidance on accessible charging infrastructure.
The joint venture continues to seek ways to help push the industry forward through offering work experience placements, apprenticeships and employment. For example, the construction of the Hillingdon site will also provide opportunities for work experience in collaboration with London’s schools. Broader economic opportunities will be realised by helping small to medium enterprises enter the market and upskilling more people to support London’s sustainable EV transition.
Tom Hurst, UK country director at Fastned, said: "This is another big step forward for London’s EV charging network, and is a testament to the efforts of Fastned and Places for London. The swift planning decision by London Borough of Hillingdon shows real commitment to the EV transition for the borough. It’s pragmatic decisions like these that allow us to roll out our high quality charging network across the capital and beyond, and to give London EV drivers the service that they have been waiting for."
Emma Hatch, head of development at Places for London, commented: "We’re delighted that in just a little over three months since forming our partnership we have secured our first planning consent for this ultra-rapid EV charging hub. By delivering this infrastructure, we can help drivers confidently make the transition to cleaner vehicles knowing that a charging point is nearby. Like the Mayor of London and the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are dedicated to taking the necessary steps to ensure London is working towards a more sustainable and inclusive future. This is a great example of how we, as part of a public body, can work with the private sector to bring about the infrastructure London needs. We now look forward to drivers getting to charge up with ease at the hub by early 2026."
