AN ELECTRIC vehicle charging hub said to be one of the largest in Europe is set to be built in Solihull.
The NEC Group has been given planning permission to install 182 charging points on its campus.
The site, created with the Group’s partner EV Network, will have 16 ultra-fast 300KW DC points capable of powering up 32 vehicles at any one time in around 15 to 30 minutes.
There will also be 150 7KW AC-charging points that will take a longer time to charge vehicles for NEC customers during their time at the venue.
Entrance for the hub will be from the main campus through road, just off junction 6 of the M42 and close to the M6.
There are also plans for a coffee shop complete with indoor seating and 26 standard parking bays.
The project is due to be completed by the autumn.
Paul Thandi chief executive of the NEC Group, said: “As the UK’s leading live events business, we also want to be a leader in sustainable practices.
“Creating an EV charging hub of this scale is a step change for the UK’s green travel strategy.
“We know that many electric vehicle drivers suffer from range anxiety and that this is a barrier to others switching to greener modes of transport.
“Providing greater reliability and access to high quality charge points in partnership with bp pulse at a key part of the UK road network, is a great move forward and one we are proud to support.”
Trudy Harrison, Transport Minister, said: “Our electric vehicle infrastructure strategy sets out our vision to boost on-street charge points across the nation, and it’s excellent to see NEC Birmingham joining the important transition to greener vehicles.”
