How Strategic Is the Charging on the Strategic Road Network?
The episode examines how electric‑vehicle charging is evolving on England’s Strategic Road Network, zeroing in on the M1 corridor. It contrasts the rapid expansion of ultra‑rapid chargers—particularly Apple Green’s 400 kW units at Leicester Forest East and other Welcome Break sites—with the established Gridserve network, which still dominates usage despite fewer units. Data from ZAPMAP shows 174 additional ultra‑rapid chargers added to M1 service areas in the past two years, bringing total sites to 29. Gridserve operates 108 chargers that logged roughly 27,000 sessions per month, while Apple Green’s 130 units recorded just over 16,000 sessions. Utilisation per charger is higher for Gridserve, with top sites exceeding 300 sessions monthly, whereas Apple Green’s best chargers fall about 17% short. Specific examples illustrate the competitive landscape: Leicester Forest East now hosts 16 × 400 kW Apple Green chargers after Gridserve’s medium‑power units were removed. Moto’s new 400 kW “Moto Charge” units sit alongside Gridserve’s 360 kW chargers at Toddington, priced at £0.89/kWh versus £0.83/kWh for Apple Green. Tesla’s public superchargers, Ionity’s 350 kW stations, and e‑Vault’s 150 kW units further diversify pricing and speed options across the M1. The surge in ultra‑rapid capacity and the emergence of multiple operators signal a shift toward greater driver choice and competitive pricing, but utilisation gaps suggest brand familiarity and reliability still drive patronage. For policymakers and investors, the data underscores the need to balance charger density, power output, and user experience to sustain EV adoption on high‑traffic routes.
EVED Confusion Deters Movers
The UK government is preparing to introduce a 3‑pence‑per‑mile electric vehicle excise duty (eVED), a mileage‑based tax aimed at EV owners. Critics argue the levy arrives amid strong incentives for electric adoption, creating a contradictory policy mix. The proposal’s timing...