UK’s first 350kW-ready fast car charging station comes to North East

The UK’s first fast charging station with a charging capacity up to 350 kW has opened in the North East.

Dutch company Fastned is has opened the 350kW-ready station on West Wear Street in Sunderland, near the city’s Nissan factory.

Michiel Langezaal, co-founder and CEO of Fastned, explained: “We are pleased to have built this fast charging station where FEV’s can charge up to 350 kW in the United Kingdom in cooperation with the North East Joint Transport Committee.

Speaking about the location of the new station, he said: “Sunderland is a symbolic city for electric driving, since the factory where the Nissan Leaf is produced is located here. With the Leaf, Nissan was one of the first manufacturers to launch an affordable, mass-produced electric car.”

The news of the Sunderland station launch comes after Fastned won tenders last month to build five more charging stations in the North East region.

Cllr Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, commented: “As host to the UK’s first purpose-built high-power fast charging station, Sunderland continues to lead the way in the electromobility industry.

“Along with other private and public charge-point developments currently underway, these rapid charging stations will help further establish the North East of England as a leader in electric mobility.”