Milton Keynes Council and Milton Keynes Development Council are investing and encouraging more motorists to turn to more environmentally friendly power sources than fossil fuels after it successfully installed a new charging hub close to one of the country’s busiest routes.
Ringway recently completed the innovative design and build scheme at the Coachway site, close to junction 14 of the M1, after being commissioned to create the Ultrafast charging hub by Milton Keynes Council. The Council are considering the further roll out of similar hubs across Milton Keynes to support the Council’s desire for Milton Keynes to improve air quality.
The Ultrafast charging hub, currently the fastest charging (just 42 minutes for full charging) and largest of its type in the UK, provides covered charging space for up to eight electric vehicles to charge simultaneously. This is the latest step taken by the Council to encourage the use of ULEV (Ultra Low Emission Vehicles). More than 300 standard/fast electric vehicle charging points and 65 rapid charging units have already been installed across the borough.
All of the charge points are managed by the Council’s partner, BP-Chargemaster, and are part of the national POLAR network which will allows members to use the charge points in Milton Keynes as well as being eligible for free parking in the city centre. Non-members can also use the rapid chargers on a ‘pay-as-you-go’ basis.
Brian Matthews, Head of Transport Innovation at Milton Keynes Council said: “We are really pleased with the new facility, and hope users in Milton Keynes and the many passing through on the M1 can benefit from it. But, we are not stopping here. We have plans for more facilities in Central Milton Keynes, and our Coachway hub will soon benefit from the very latest high-power chargers which can charge vehicles in just a few minutes.”
Mike Notman, Managing Director – Term Services, said: “Our highways network is changing, and so are the vehicles using it. Ringway is committed to being a key part of the development of innovations to helping to drive changes that will benefit both the public and our planet. This scheme is also significant for Ringway as it demonstrates our ability to deliver design and build solutions as part of our innovative collaboration with Milton Keynes Council. It is testament to the relationships that exist between local authority partners and companies like ourselves that are creating positive change in the way that we travel.”
