Barnard Castle, famed for its history and in more recent years, its branch of Specsavers, has finally heralded in a new era of motoring. Fastned, the Dutch rapid EV charging network, has opened its seventh EV charging hub in the North East of England.
Sporting six 50kWh charging points at a site near a new Lidl, just off the A688, the Mayor of Barnard Castle, Councillor Rima Chatterjee, said the installation of the charging hub was ‘marvellous’ and hoped it would encourage locals to purchase electric vehicles and visitors to come to Barnard Castle, reassured that there would be somewhere reliable to charge.
UK country manager and network development manager for Fastned, Tom Hurst attended the opening saying, ‘Barnard Castle has become one of the best known and popular tourist destinations in the UK in the past year. Our great relationships with local leaders in the North East have enabled us to roll out a number of stations as part of public tenders, laying the groundwork for this completely Fastned funded rapid charging station – the first for Teesdale – and more that we have planned for the region.’
Since the increase in UK staycations, as a result of the pandemic, the number of visitors to Barnard Castle has risen by 20%.
Durham county council’s cabinet member for neighbourhoods and climate change, Councillor Mark Wilkes, added, ‘It is great to see both the public and private sector working towards improving the county’s electrical vehicle infrastructure to make it more accessible for residents who use them. This new station aligns with our current climate plan and ambitions to reduce carbon emissions across the county.’
The EV charge point infrastructure in the UK is one of much discussion, as the range anxiety issues subside and affordability of electric vehicles begins to gain parity with internal combustion engines (ICE).
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Further reading
>> Best electric vehicles for £300 per month
>> Read Parkers electric car guide
>> Wondering what home charger to pick? This guide has it all
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