A European Commission-backed consortium led by Nissan and also including Renault, BMW, Volkswagen and Electricity Supply Board will establish a rapid charging network for electric vehicles to run the length and breadth of the UK.
The Rapid Charge Network (RCN) project will see 74 multi-standard rapid chargers installed across 700 miles of the country’s major road network. This will ensure that every EV owner in the UK will be able to undertake long-distance journeys with the ability to recharge their car in under 30 minutes.
When complete, RCN will provide EV-friendly links to five seaports and five international airports, as well as a number of major cities, including Stranraer, Liverpool, Holyhead, Birmingham, Felixstowe, Leeds and Kingston upon Hull.
Co-financed by the European Union through the Trans European Transport Network (TEN-T) programme, the project also draws on the experience of Zero Carbon Futures and Newcastle University.
“Nissan is delighted to be leading this important initiative. The UK’s Rapid Charge Network will provide a vital sense of security for all EV drivers, not just those using the award-winning Nissan LEAF, as well as helping to promote the advantages of zero emission mobility to others,” said Olivier Paturet, General Manager Zero Emission Strategy & Corporate Planning.
The RCN project is one of 30 priority transport projects across Europe identified by TEN-T. The projects were chosen according to the added value they offer to the European community and their contribution to the sustainable development of transport systems. They include rail, mixed rail-road, road and inland waterway projects, as well as a ‘motorways of the sea’ scheme.
Click through for more information on the Rapid Charge Network project.
