Extra MSA marks EV rapid charging milestone with IONITY partnership expansion
London, UK – 20th November 2023: Extra MSA Group has today announced the install of a further 12 ultra-rapid IONITY charge points at Cobham Services (M25 J9/10), taking the total number of 350kW ultra-fast charging points at Cobham from 6 to 18.
In a welcome step towards creating a fully connected network fit for the future of EV usage, Extra benefited from a £3.8m power upgrade by UK Power Networks through its Green Recovery programme allowing it to expand its existing partnership with IONITY, the leading high-power charging network for EV brands.
The UK’s number one motorway service operator has set out its ambitions to become the first MSA operator to surpass the government’s 2022 target of installing at least six EV chargers at each service area on motorways by the end of this year.
With Cobham situated in a prime location, offering direct routes to London’s airports and Surrey’s top attractions as well as offering a range of amenities, the installations are expected to draw a significant number of additional visitors to the site.
Having already installed 38 IONITY charging points with a high-speed charging capacity of up to 350kW across all eight of its MSA locations, Extra plans to further expand its EV offering with IONITY across five of its sites by the end of next year.
IONITY’s partnership with green energy provider Octopus means all energy powering its ultra-rapid chargers is 100% renewable, making EV travel truly emission-free and climate-neutral. Fit out at Cobham is currently underway, with all 18 chargers set to be fully operational by November.
Delivered by UK Power Networks, the UK Green Recovery programme is delivering low carbon energy projects across the South East, London and East of England, supporting the Government’s ten point plan for the UK’s green industrial revolution. At Cobham, UK Power Networks delivered 5km of new 33,000-volt cabling and new equipment at a substation to connect the new ultra-fast charge points to the electricity network.
Extra MSA currently operates eight MSAs across England at Baldock (A1(M) J10); Beaconsfield (M40 J2); Blackburn with Darwen (M65 J4); Cambridge (A14(M11) J24); Cobham (M25 J9/10); Cullompton (M5 J28); Leeds Skelton Lake (M1 J45); and Peterborough (A1(M) J17).
Tom Dobson, CEO at Extra MSA Group, said:
“IONITY is rapidly expanding across Europe, and we’re delighted to be supporting their journey through our planned programme of installations. As one of the UK’s leading investors, owners and operators of Motorway Service Areas, we are committed to providing all road users with a safe, comfortable and reliable place to stop, rest and recharge. Not satisfied with having already met the government’s 2023 targets for EV chargers, we now want to fully exceed them, and our IONITY partnership is a fantastic way of enabling us to do just that.”
Andreas Atkins, Country Manager UK & Ireland at IONITY, added:
“In working alongside MSA operators such as Extra, we are leading the way to support drivers, as well as the wider environment, with the UK’s transition to EV. Our 350kW ultra-fast IONITY charging points are among the highest-powered facilities available on the UK motorway network. We look forward to working closely with Extra over the coming years to provide even more EV drivers with access to convenient, ultra-fast, and emission-free charging, enabling them to continue their journey with ease.”
Adam Lakey, leading the Green Recovery projects for UK Power Networks, said:
“This significant investment in new power infrastructure for the motorway network at Cobham Services will enable more drivers to make the switch to EVs, improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions. We have worked with local communities, Government and Ofgem to invest in electricity infrastructure, promote jobs and economic growth and make tangible progress to connect more electric vehicles to accelerate the country’s transition to net zero carbon emissions.”
To find out more about Extra, visit: https://extraservices.co.uk/.
ENDS
About Extra MSA Group
Extra MSA Group is a motorway service area (MSA) developer and operator in the UK which prides itself on going the extra mile to deliver great experiences for its visitors.
Extra currently operates eight MSAs across England:
- Baldock – A1(M) J10
- Beaconsfield – M40 J2
- Blackburn with Darwen – M65 J4
- Cambridge – A14 (M11) J24
- Cobham – M25 J9/10
- Cullompton – M5 J28
- Leeds Skelton Lake – M1 J45
- Peterborough – A1(M) J17.
Many of the MSAs feature popular food and beverage brands including McDonald’s; KFC; Starbucks; Costa; Leon; Nando’s; and Pizza Express, as well as children’s play areas and outdoor spaces for visitors to take in the scenery or go for a walk. Leeds Skelton Lake Services is the newest addition to Extra MSA’s estate, boasting exceptional environmental credentials with a living roof and a lakeside setting for visitors.
All of Extra’s MSAs offer high-powered electric vehicle charging from IONITY, and Extra MSA will soon deliver on Government ambitions to reach six high-powered electric vehicle chargers at each MSA, ahead of the 2023 national target.
In Transport Focus’ Motorway Services User Survey 2022, Extra MSA was ranked top of the four biggest MSA operators in terms of overall satisfaction; achieved a higher NPS score overall than all other MSA operators; and received the joint-best operator score for satisfaction with the toilets.
More information can be found at Extra MSA’s website, Twitter, Threads and Instagram channels.
About IONITY
IONITY is building and operating the largest open brand high-power charging (HPC) network along European highways. The HPC charging capacity of up to 350 kW allows maximum charging speeds. As a commitment to sustainability, IONITY sources renewable energy only for both emission-free and carbon neutral driving. In July 2023, the IONITY HPC network counted more than 500 charging stations and more than 2.500 charging points in 24 European countries.
Founded in 2017, IONITY is a joint venture of the car manufacturers BMW Group, Ford Motor Company, Hyundai Motor Group, Mercedes Benz AG and Volkswagen Group with Audi and Porsche, along with BlackRock’s Climate Infrastructure Platform as financial investor. The company is headquartered in Munich, Germany, with additional offices in Dortmund and outside Norway’s capital Oslo. IONITY is an internationally registered trademark.
IONITY UK is a founding member of the UK charge point operator trade association “ChargeUK”. Its members are investing billions of pounds to deliver and operate a world-class charging infrastructure by 2030. For more information, please visit: https://www.chargeuk.org/.
For more information, please visit www.ionity.eu
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About UK Power Networks
UK Power Networks owns and runs the cables and substations which deliver electricity from the national grid to 8.5 million homes and businesses across London, the South East and East of England, serving approximately 20 million people.
As the country’s biggest electricity distributor, it has invested more than £6.4 billion in its electricity networks since 2011, focusing on safety, network reliability, sustainability and affordability by caring for vulnerable customers and keeping costs low. It is a founder member of the Levelling up Coalition, sixth on the UK Inclusive Companies list as well as one of only 5% of companies worldwide to achieve Platinum Investors in People status.
If you have an issue with your power, there are many ways to get in touch including freephone 105 and @UKPowerNetworks
