Electric vehicle hub launched at Hatfield rail station

GTR`s Tom Moran shows Grant Shapps the new EV hub at Hatfield station

GTR`s Tom Moran shows Grant Shapps the new EV hub at Hatfield station

A railway station electric vehicle charging hub has been opened at Hatfield in Hertfordshire. The facility, which features 27 charging points, was the result of train company Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) working with chargepoint provider Pod Point.

Hatfield was chosen following a heat-mapping exercise to find EV ownership and sales hotspots.

The hub was opened on World EV Day by transport secretary Grant Shapps, who is MP for Welwyn Hatfield. “We’re taking great strides toward our goal of having one of the best electric vehicle infrastructure networks in the world,” said Shapps. “This means a network for current and future electric vehicle drivers that is affordable, reliable, accessible and secure. Today’s landmark announcement ticks all those boxes and will make journeys on road and rail much greener.”

The charging points will provide additional accessibility and convenience for customers using the Great Northern and Thameslink station and, as part of the project, 12 new charging points have also been installed at Haywards Heath Station. The new charging points are in addition to the existing 114 units in place across the GTR network, which have all undergone improvements as part of the project.

Tom Moran, managing director for Thameslink and Great Northern, said: “We’re delighted to officially unveil our new EV charging hub at Hatfield Station. This is part of a much wider programme of works to improve station facilities at every station across the GTR network and give a better experience to our passengers. We have over 1,000 improvement projects happening across our network and many will help improve the sustainability of our stations, especially as our local communities seek out options for the greenest forms of travel.”

Chargepoint supplier Pod Point sees the GTR project as setting a standard for future rail sector charging hubs. Erik Fairbairn, founder and chief executive, said: “Our continued partnership with GTR is making it easier for drivers to choose electric and will help accelerate adoption. We see the GTR EV charging hubs at Hatfield and Haywards Heath as a blueprint for EV charging across the rail industry. It offers connected electrified transport for all UK commuters and, for the millions of drivers without off-street parking, it provides a viable and convenient alternative to domestic or workplace charging.”