EV charging hub opens at Bluewater

Hub forms part of RAW Charging's £24.5m partnership with Landsec

Landsec has launched what is claimed to be the UK's largest destination EV charging hub at the Bluewater shopping centre in Kent. 

The RAW Charging installation forms part of a £24.5m national EV charging network across popular shopping destinations. The roll-out will deliver 1,000 new charging bays – comprising 554 AC fast chargers and 446 DC rapid chargers – across 28 Landsec destinations. 

Besides Bluewater, sites include Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth, White Rose Shopping Centre in Leeds, and Brighton Marina.  

The 20-year partnership also includes a major replace and upgrade programme, modernising legacy charging infrastructure that no longer meets current standards for speed, reliability or accessibility. 

The upgrades are expected to improve charge time, with some chargers charging a vehicle within a dwell time of 30 mins-1.5 hours. 

The network features contactless payment and accpets all major EV charging apps, ensuring a seamless experience for visitors.

Ben Padley, head of consumer at Landsec, said: “Our destinations welcome millions of visitors each year and are the hubs for communities across the UK. Creating exceptional experiences while supporting a more sustainable future is central to how we shape those places. 

“As more drivers switch to electric, retail destinations like ours have a clear responsibility to make charging simple, accessible and part of everyday life. Through our partnership with RAW Charging, we’re embedding high quality, future ready EV infrastructure across our portfolio, including plans for what will become the UK’s largest destination charging hub at Bluewater. The scale and reach of our platform mean we can deliver this at pace and in locations people already choose to spend their time. 

“This long-term investment strengthens our guest offer, providing a multitude of convenient charging options for current and future electric drivers.”

RAW Charging’s network is focussed on sites owned by retailers and landlords who want to drive engagement and revenue. By placing charging hubs at high-footfall destinations, EV drivers will remain on-site for longer, interacting with retail, dining and leisure offerings – creating a tangible boost to dwell time and spend. 

The RAW Charging network powers popular destinations including the National Trust, Merlin Entertainments (such as LEGOLAND Windsor and Alton Towers), McArthurGlen Designer Outlets, and several leading hotel groups. Collectively, these destinations power over 400,000 electric journeys per year. 

Neil Broadbank, chief commercial officer at RAW Charging, said: “We’re proud to partner with Landsec, whose top-tier retail and leisure destinations attract millions of visitors each year. 

“Our EV charging hubs give customers confidence to recharge on arrival, enhancing their experience and keeping them on-site longer. This investment goes beyond infrastructure - it’s about connecting amazing places and supporting the UK’s transition to cleaner, greener transport.”