To mark World EV Day, Oxford City Council is teaming up with Wenea, Tesla, and Fastned to offer free public electric vehicle charging at the Redbridge Park & Ride Superhub on Thursday 29 September.
The Redbridge Park & Ride Superhub, which launched in July 2022, provides fast and ultra-rapid charging for 42 vehicles at once and is powered entirely by renewable energy. It is Europeโs most powerful EV charging hub.
Unlike any other UK charging hub, the site is directly connected to National Gridโs high voltage transmission network via a four-mile underground cable, which delivers up to 10 MW of power and has the capability to charge hundreds of EVs simultaneously, without putting additional strain on the local electricity network or requiring costly upgrades.
The Superhub features ten Fastned ultra-rapid charging bays, twenty 7-22 kW charging bays by Wenea, and twelve 250 kW Tesla Superchargers.
The Superhub was installed as part of the Energy Superhub Oxford project, a ยฃ41m project delivered by Pivot Power, part of EDF Renewables, together with a consortium of global partners and is part-funded by the UK government.
The offer provides free electric vehicle charging only. Parking charges will still apply.
World EV Day
World EV Day, an annual event that highlights the progress in e-mobility, promotes the shift to electrified transport.
World EV Day was originally due to take place on Thursday 9 September, but was rescheduled due to the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
A map of all public charging points in Oxford can be found on ZapMap.
EV ownership in Oxford
Approximately 4% of vehicles in Oxford are now EVs. Projections estimate this will need to increase to 24% of all vehicles by 2026.
According to Zap Map, 2021 saw the biggest annual increase in number of UK registrations, with more than 395,000 EVs registered, showing a growth of 92% on 2020.
This sharp rise in EVs has seen the formation of a growing second-hand market. The AA reports that sales of used EVs increased by 119.1% to 40,228 last year compared with 2020.
Earlier this year, Britainโs first Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) pilot was launched in Oxford. As part of the scheme, all petrol and diesel vehicles, including hybrids, incur a daily charge unless eligible for a discount or exemption. However, zero emission vehicles, such as electric cars, can enter the pilot area free of charge.ย
Cabinet Member for Health and Transport at Oxford City Council, Councillor Louise Upton said: โWorld EV Day is a celebration of all things electric vehicle and is about encouraging people to make the transition to electric. This year we have had lots of exciting milestones in the journey to electric, from the Zero Emission Zone pilot, to the opening of the Redbridge Superhub. I am delighted that the Redbridge Park & Ride Superhub is offering free EV charging as part of the World EV Day celebrations. If you have an electric car and have not used the Superhub yet, then now is your chance!โ