Fastned and Places for London open first ultra-rapid EV charging hub at Hatton Cross
- Perry Richardson
- 4 minutes ago
- 2 min read
A partnership between Fastned and Places for London has officially opened its first ultra-rapid electric vehicle charging hub at Hatton Cross Underground station, creating a major new charging destination for taxi, private hire and commercial vehicle drivers operating around Heathrow Airport.
The facility was formally launched by Seb Dance, Mete Coban, and Andy Lord, alongside Michiel Langezaal and Tom Hurst. The opening event featured a zero-emission capable black cab, ambulance and Transport for London service van, highlighting the growing electrification of professional vehicle fleets across the capital.
Located close to Heathrow Airport and major road links including the M25, M4 and A30, the site offers 12 ultra-rapid 400kW charging bays and operates around the clock. According to the partners, drivers can add up to 100 miles of driving range in as little as five minutes. To mark the launch, Fastned will provide free charging at the hub from 15 to 19 June 2026.
The charging hub is the first of 25 locations planned through the partnership and supports the Mayor of London’s target of delivering up to 40,000 charge points across the capital by 2030. The site has been designed to accommodate a wide range of vehicles, including taxis, private hire vehicles, vans and other commercial fleets. Features include extra-wide bays, two fully accessible charging spaces built to the latest British Standards Institution guidance, CCTV coverage, weather-protected charging under Fastned’s solar canopies and 24-hour multilingual customer support.
The development comes as demand for public charging infrastructure continues to grow. Around 40 per cent of UK households do not have access to off-street parking, increasing reliance on public charging networks. London currently has more than 175,000 battery electric cars and vans registered, with forecasts suggesting EV numbers could exceed one million vehicles by 2030, representing around 36 per cent of the capital’s car and van fleet.
Further sites are already progressing through the development pipeline. Plans include a 36-bay flagship charging hub at Hanger Lane and an eight-bay facility at East Finchley Underground station. Additional sites are being advanced across the London boroughs of Newham, Haringey and Barking and Dagenham, with further applications expected later this year. Revenue generated from the charging network will also contribute towards local community and climate projects, while supporting green skills training, apprenticeships and employment opportunities.
