Net Zero News: RAW Charging secures funding for net-zero EV hub

Welcome to Net Zero News, where we bring you the latest developments driving the UK’s transition to a net-zero future. In a significant move for the electric vehicle (EV) charging sector, RAW Charging has activated its newest ultra-rapid EV charging hub at Reading Gateway Shopping Park in Berkshire, marking its continued push to expand high-speed charging infrastructure across the hospitality, leisure and retail sectors.

Earlier this month, RAW Charging – a specialist chargepoint operator catering to hotels, restaurants and shopping centres – switched on six ultra-rapid chargers capable of delivering up to 150 kW per bay. The hub joins the operator’s growing portfolio of more than 50 sites nationwide, reflecting a broader industry drive to meet urgent demand for publicly accessible fast and ultra-rapid EV charging points.

The new Reading Gateway facility features a range of charging options to accommodate the latest EV models. Using state-of-the-art power electronics and dynamic load management, the chargers can push up to 100 miles of range in just 15 minutes. RAW Charging’s proprietary software platform ensures reliability and optimises grid interactions, while the location’s proximity to major retail outlets offers drivers the convenience to charge during shopping or leisure visits. This investment aligns with the UK Government’s ambition to phase out new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 and contributes to the target of installing 300,000 public chargepoints by the end of the decade.

Net Zero News understands this hub forms part of RAW Charging’s strategic plan to support the transport sector’s decarbonisation under the UK’s broader net-zero by 2050 commitment. By scaling up ultra-rapid charging sites at accessible venues, the operator aims to alleviate “range anxiety” and drive faster EV adoption. Early modelling suggests the Reading Gateway installation alone could facilitate up to 1,200 full charges per month, potentially cutting over 400 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually compared with petrol vehicles.

The project has been delivered with an investment totalling £1.2 million, funded entirely by RAW Charging with support from Reading Borough Council and a grant under the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Charging Infrastructure Investment Fund. RAW’s commercial partners include leading retail landlord Landsec, which owns and manages Reading Gateway Shopping Park, and energy supplier Octopus Energy, providing renewable electricity to ensure low-carbon charging. Local electricians and civil contractors were also engaged for the civil works, with four new jobs created in the installation and ongoing site maintenance.

Net Zero News can reveal that this development sits squarely within the framework of the UK’s Transport Decarbonisation Plan published in 2021 and the subsequent Net Zero Strategy, which emphasises electrifying road transport and enhancing public charging infrastructure. The DfT’s Road to Zero strategy called for at least 6 rapid chargers every 150 miles on the strategic road network – this latest installation bolsters the density of ultra-rapid points in the southeast and supports the government’s pledge to increase EV charger availability to one per ten vehicles by 2025.

Local businesses and community groups have welcomed the arrival of the hub. The Reading Retail and Hospitality Association said the project would boost footfall and support the visitor economy, while environmental campaigners praised the creation of low-emission travel options. Industry bodies also note that accessible high-speed chargers are key to sustaining EV uptake beyond early adopters, particularly as the market shifts towards larger batteries that can make use of ultra-rapid power.

Looking ahead, RAW Charging plans to roll out three further ultra-rapid hubs before the end of 2024, targeting motorway service areas, urban retail parks and hotel forecourts across the Midlands, North West and South West. The company is actively in discussions with local authorities and private landlords to secure sites that deliver both driver convenience and strong project economics. As the UK accelerates towards its 2030 and 2050 net-zero milestones, such partnerships will be vital in creating a reliable and resilient charging network.

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