The roll-out of Electronic Vehicle (EV) infrastructure is well underway on the Thameslink, Great Northern and Southern railway network, with new charging points and parking bays added to the next wave of stations.
Rail operator Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) is currently completing the second wave of the roll-out, after unveiling its dedicated EV charging hub at Hatfield station in September 2020, which at the time was the largest in UK rail, with 27 points.
Strengthening its commitment to the country’s green recovery, the rail operator is now in the process of installing EV charging points at a further 10 stations across Thameslink, Great Northern and Southern routes. These include Luton, Luton Airport Parkway, St Albans, Elstree & Borehamwood, Cooksbridge, Harpenden, Watton at Stone, Bayford, Palmers Green and Potters Bar.
In partnership with Pod Point, a leading provider of EV charging infrastructure, the installation of EV charging points is part of GTR’s focus on supporting green travel options and will help to meet increasing consumer demand for electric vehicles.
Keith Jipps, Infrastructure Director at Govia Thameslink Railway, said: “Getting the train is a greener way to travel, but we need to think about how people are getting to our stations. By improving EV infrastructure across the network, we’re providing better accessibility and convenience for those who already use electric vehicles, whilst encouraging others to consider EV to make their total journey more sustainable.”
By January 2022, GTR will have a total of 179 charging points across 37 stations, which will be available for public use.
Bim Afolami, MP for Hitchin and Harpenden, welcomes the new charging points at Harpenden station. He said: “If we’re serious about encouraging the public to switch to greener modes of transport, then there needs to be suitable infrastructure in place to allow this to happen. The new EV charging points at Harpenden station will provide huge benefits to the local community and encourage more residents to consider buying an electric vehicle.”
Erik Fairbairn, Founder and CEO, Pod Point, added: “Pod Point’s vision is for travel that doesn’t damage the earth and this partnership is exciting as it allows UK commuters to experience truly integrated electrified transport. It also makes it easier for drivers to choose electric, by offering a convenient alternative to home or workplace charging – particularly important to those without off-street parking. The partnership is setting a blueprint for EV charging across the rail industry and we’re looking forward to powering up even more stations as the roll-out continues.”
The installation marks a milestone in a wide-ranging station improvements programme being undertaken by GTR, which encompasses more than 230 stations and over 1,000 individual projects. Read more here: Improving your stations | Thameslink Railway.
