MOTO boss warns EV charging will require 12 times as much energy by 2030

By 2030 EV charging will require 12 times as much energy than we currently have now, warned Moto chief executive, Ken McMeikan, as his company reached a 200 charge-point milestone.

He said engagement from Government and the National Grid to help industry address the challenges faced was vital. 

”The electric vehicle revolution is well underway and is ushering in a new future of more sustainable transport,” he said. ”By 2040, we will need 10 times as many chargers to meet the projected increased demand.” 

He said that while Moto is optimistic that the challenge posed can be overcome, open discussions are needed. Improving the UK’s energy mix and grid capacity will take leadership from businesses, commercial landlords, Government, DNOs and charging providers being brought to the table to collaborate on solutions.

Since August 2021, access to charging points has increased by 34%, with the UK tally currently standing at nearly 34,000 public charging devices. However, despite industry efforts to invest in EV infrastructure, range anxiety and charging anxiety continue to be stumbling blocks in the transition to EV.

Moto’s roll-out aims to significantly address this issue and provide quicker and more convenient ultra-rapid chargers for the UK’s motorway network, where drivers are more likely to be travelling these longer distances.

Moto now has 211 ultra-rapid electric vehicle chargers available on its network following last week’s opening of 12 new chargers at Moto Reading Westbound.

The launch comes as part of Moto’s ongoing nationwide efforts to transform access to charging facilities on the UK’s motorways, reduce range anxiety for EV motorists and encourage more car owners to switch to electric vehicles.

Prior to the launch, Gridserve and Tesla had already added ultra-rapid chargers to 20 hubs on Moto sites and created the largest Superhub on the UK’s motorway at Moto Exeter Services, which has a total of 33 chargers.

Initially, 12 Gridserve chargers have been launched as part of the latest network expansion at Moto Reading Westbound on the M4, with capacity to expand when future demand requires. Supplied by renewable, net-zero carbon energy, the 350kW-capable ultra-rapid chargers claim to deliver up to 100 miles of range in less than 10 minutes.

All 12 chargers have been online since last Thursday (January 26) and will provide EV motorists on journeys in and around Oxfordshire, the ability to charge quickly. Investment in new charging options comes as part of Moto’s sustained efforts to realise its ambition of revolutionising EV infrastructure for UK motorists. This latest investment highlights the multitude of EV chargers now available on the M4 with a total of 53 ultra-rapid chargers across Moto Heston (West), Reading, Leigh Delamere, Severn View and Swansea with more scheduled to come.

Moto Reading, Woolley Edge and Hilton Park now have ultra-rapid charging facilities on either side of the carriageway, becoming Moto’s first twin Motorway Service Areas with an EV offering. Moto, Gridserve and Tesla are scheduled to invest and open even more Superhubs as the year progresses.

McMeikan said: “When we opened our first ultra-rapid EV Charging Hub at Moto Rugby, we knew it represented a major turning point in the feasibility of EV vehicle ownership – signalling the arrival of more accessible, more reliable and quicker on-the-go charging options. Now, just 18 months later, having over 200 such charge points across our network is a vast achievement. Together, with our partners, we have overcome significant planning, legal and infrastructure barriers to deliver a better charging experience for EV owners, as well as make the prospect of EV ownership more attractive.

”Work doesn’t stop here however. UK demand for EVs continues to grow and already accounts for almost a fifth of all new car sales. Our network-wide roll-out continues at pace to meet that demand and work towards our ambition to install more than 1,600 ultra-rapid chargers by 2030.”

Toddington Harper, CEO of Gridserve said: “Gridserve are committed to delivering a charging network that is simple to use, reliable and provides a great customer experience. We are proud of the Super Hubs delivered in our partnership with Moto and we are committed to growing our UK-wide network of chargers alongside the growth of electric vehicles so that drivers have confidence to make the switch to electric, both today and as the number of vehicles increases in future.”

Recent projections from Moto reveals what the future of EV driving will look like on the UK roads over the next two decades, with one in 25 cars on the road in 2023 being EVs, one in 10 by 2025, one in 3 by 2030 and four in five by 2040.

Moto, Gridserve and Tesla’s ambition to bring ultra-rapid EV infrastructure to the UK’s motorway aims to match this trend and provide for the expanding cohort of EV drivers with 330 new ultra-rapid chargers being brought to the Moto network by the end of 2023, 720 by 2025, 1,630 by 2030 and 2,800 by 2040.