Gridserve launches 400 kW ultra‑rapid chargers amid rapid EV transport expansion

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The UK’s electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure continues to surge forward with multiple high‑impact developments in December 2025, underscoring a transport sector rapidly decarbonising. Gridserve has debuted its most powerful public charger yet: an ABB E‑mobility A400 ultra‑rapid unit delivering 400 kW, at Centaurus Park in Bristol, with further roll‑outs scheduled at Moto Exeter Super Hub and the new Markham Vale Electric Forecourt by next summer. The unit supports simultaneous charging via dual CCS ports with dynamic power sharing and features a 32‑inch touchscreen, designed under UK Public Charging Point Regulation standards.

This innovation arrives amid record infrastructure growth. By late October 2025, the UK boasted 86,798 charging devices at 44,142 locations, a 22 percent increase annually. Rapid and ultra‑rapid charge points comprised 17,734 at 6,582 locations, with 705 rapid charging hubs stations housing at least six rapid or ultra‑rapid devices reflecting a 31 percent increase on the year.

In Q3 2025 alone, almost 4,000 new charge points were installed, raising the total to 86,021 devices (114,486 EV supply equipment units) at 43,507 sites across the country. Ultra‑rapid devices (150 kW+) saw the highest expansion, reaching 9,290 a 51 percent uplift on the previous year. The UK now hosts 663 charging hubs, with 212 added over the past year.

The freight and HGV sector is also advancing. Fleete has broken ground on a major commercial vehicle charging hub at Port of Tilbury, scheduled to open in December 2025. The 5 MW shared facility will include 16 rapid chargers 12 provided by Heliox and 4 by Voltempo under the eFREIGHT 2030 project funded partially through a £1 million UK Government Thames Freeport seed capital award. The hub is one of the largest UK charging facilities devoted to electric HGVs.

In parallel, Royal Mail has deployed its first eight 42‑tonne DAF XD 350E electric HGVs across Midlands and North West parcel hubs. Charged via ABB T360 high‑performance chargers that deliver up to 60 miles in under 15 minutes, this fleet transition is expected to avoid around 1,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually. The rollout is enabled by Electric Freightway’s high‑speed chargers and is part of the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID), backed by up to £200 million of UK Government funding.

Smaller fleet operations are also embracing innovation. Denbighshire County Council has become one of the first to install an AC vehicle‑to‑grid (V2G) charger at its depot through the V2VNY project, enabling EVs to draw from and return power to the grid. The depot’s 400+ vehicle fleet over 100 of which are EVs is supported by solar panels and battery storage as part of a smart local energy system.

Moreover, Go‑Ahead Group is introducing BetterFleet’s charge management platform across its national EV bus operations. Covering over 1,000 electric buses and chargers across 20 depots, expanding to 1,500 units at 30 depots by year‑end, the system offers mission‑critical insight and load deferral to optimise grid capacity.

These developments reflect both rapid technological advancement and strategic infrastructure growth. Charging speed, reliability, and strategic access—ranging from super‑fast consumer public chargers to shared commercial hubs are increasingly the norm rather than exception.

What this means:

Consumers benefit from significantly shorter wait times and broader access, thanks to technologies like 400 kW ultra‑rapid chargers and increasing hub density. Freight and fleet operators are seeing a game‑changing shift, with dedicated infrastructure unlocking heavy‑duty EV use for logistics and postal services, supported by government seed funding and demonstrator programmes. Smart grid integration projects such as V2G at depots pave the way for more efficient, resilient, and decentralised energy use. Fleet operators gain from data‑driven charge management systems that simplify operations and optimise performance within existing grid constraints.

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