400kw chargers and free charging
Discussion
Well the free charging is just for a week but encouraging to see 400kw chargers being installed now that some brand new EVs can charge at that speed
"Fastned has opened an ultra-rapid EV charging hub in Hemel Hempstead as part of its UK expansion strategy.
Located at Jarman Way, the site features eight ultra-rapid charging bays under Fastned’s yellow canopy design.
The chargers are capable of delivering up to 400kW, which Fastned said could add up to 200 miles of range in 10 minutes.
The site is positioned next to a Burger King, with Tesco, Nando’s, McDonald’s and Lidl all within walking distance.
To mark the opening, Fastned will offer free charging at the site from 15th May to 22nd May 2026, subject to a 20MWh energy cap."
https://businessmotoring.co.uk/fastned-opens-hemel...
"Fastned has opened an ultra-rapid EV charging hub in Hemel Hempstead as part of its UK expansion strategy.
Located at Jarman Way, the site features eight ultra-rapid charging bays under Fastned’s yellow canopy design.
The chargers are capable of delivering up to 400kW, which Fastned said could add up to 200 miles of range in 10 minutes.
The site is positioned next to a Burger King, with Tesco, Nando’s, McDonald’s and Lidl all within walking distance.
To mark the opening, Fastned will offer free charging at the site from 15th May to 22nd May 2026, subject to a 20MWh energy cap."
https://businessmotoring.co.uk/fastned-opens-hemel...
It's funny to think that only a few years ago public charging in the UK was dire - now it seems there are rapid chargers everywhere.
My new GLC is 800v and upto 330kw charging, I'll look forward to these chargers becoming more prevalent! Although honesty, virtually any journey I make in the UK, 100kw+ is enough to charge in the time I typically tend to stop anyway. I don't feel I 'need' faster charging but I'll obviously take it as and when I find it, it'll also be good news for nervous EV adopters, even if they don't really need it either.
My new GLC is 800v and upto 330kw charging, I'll look forward to these chargers becoming more prevalent! Although honesty, virtually any journey I make in the UK, 100kw+ is enough to charge in the time I typically tend to stop anyway. I don't feel I 'need' faster charging but I'll obviously take it as and when I find it, it'll also be good news for nervous EV adopters, even if they don't really need it either.
Tye Green said:
What cars can take 400kw or is it just a publicity stunt?
The new iX3 can, and probably quite a few newer Chinese EV's.Not sure about taycan but they're 800v so probably close to 400kw is possible...
It's still probably faster than 99% of journeys require, people tend to stop anyway on very long journeys so there is time to charge at a far slower rate, given that the country is an island so it's impossible to make journeys beyond a certain length anyway...
thebraketester said:
I'll let you know. But given that most chargers fall way short of their advertised speeds, I can't see these being any different.
I've had a different experience to you (In terms of getting advertised speeds) with various charging networks, and I've used Fastned chargers the other day when I took my car to Europe. Never had any issues with speed at Fastned.Tye Green said:
What cars can take 400kw or is it just a publicity stunt?
Let's see now, in terms of cars sold in the UK and coming to the UK. 500kw chargers are already in countries like Denmark and Alpitronic's hypercharger that can provide up to 600kw for EVs are being installed in the US and Europe this year. BMW iX3 - 400kw
Porsche Cayenne - 400kw
Xpeng G6 (2026 onwards) - 451kw
Lotus Emeya - 420kw
Volvo EX60 (P10 and P12 versions) - 400kw
MG IM5 (100 LR and Performance versions) - 396kw
MG IM6 - 396kw
Zeekr 7X (expected to launch in the UK late 2026/27) - 460kw
Denza Z9GT (launching in UK in 2026) - 1,500kw on Flash chargers, not sure how fast it would charge on a regular CCS charger
normalbloke said:
Cost?
It's on their website for that particular charge. https://www.fastnedcharging.com/en/locations/hemel...
79 pence per kwh. On my Electroverse app, it's showing as 73 pence per kwh with the discount.
To put that in context, smartcharge in sainsburys car parks charges 72 pence per kwh and they only have 150kw chargers.
thebraketester said:
Recent charge on a 200kw system... 40kw is all I saw. 2bays, and I was the only car there. Luckily it was cheapish, maybe that's why it wasn't very quick.
It's very common to not see the rated power output due to a limited power feed across all chargers. I think it's only a matter of time before legislation sorts out the false advertising...But some networks take it seriously and especially at dedicated charging hubs that are placed where they are with consideration given to a suitable grid connection.
That said, I'll head for any 150-200kw charger and I'm completely happy if it manages just 100kw. That's still adding range enough to work for most UK journeys in the time it takes for a lunch and pee break. I don't feel I stop any more often or for longer than I used to in my old diesel. On the rare occasions I find myself twiddling my thumbs I tend to sit there and reply to a work email or catch up on social media etc - basically the same extra ten minutes of spend fiddling with my phone even if I had reached my destination ten minutes earlier! Does taking a pause even matter in this connected world when there's always something to do with the time wherever you happen to be...?
Murph7355 said:
TheDeuce said:
...
Not sure about taycan but they're 800v so probably close to 400kw is possible.....
320kW for the new one, 270kW for the old. (I must have dreamt seeing 276kW on mine - maybe it was 267kW Not sure about taycan but they're 800v so probably close to 400kw is possible.....
).They also repeatedly found the car was quicker than claimed in GPS speed tests.
Maybe it's charge rate Vs power input rate!? Whatever, at this point the newer EV's are charging more than fast enough for an impatient driver. I expect concerns about charge speed to fade away in the same way concerns about battery lifespan did when it became obvious that old EV's with a decade of service are still totally fine, no exploding battery, no ruinous degredation. Just an old car that still basically works fine, just as with the petrol powered ones!
thebraketester said:
Recent charge on a 200kw system... 40kw is all I saw. 2bays, and I was the only car there. Luckily it was cheapish, maybe that's why it wasn't very quick.
You need to try different chargers then. It sounds like you've just been unlucky. When I charged at an Ionity 350kw charger the other day in Belgium, it was cheap (55 pence), there were a couple of other cars charging, and yet I was getting reasonable charge speeds, given that my car will only charge at a max of 195kw, and that would be when I plug in with state of charge of under 30%.
I don't think the price of rapid charging has anything to do with whether it can deliver the charging speeds it advertises, at least not in my experience.
thebraketester said:
I'll let you know. But given that most chargers fall way short of their advertised speeds, I can't see these being any different.
I’ll take half the rated rate on a 400kw charger over half the rated rate on a 200kw charger every time. VeeTenM said:
Just one? wow lol I'm sold time to buy an iX3
Much more sensible to make lots of cars with high theoretical charging rates but nowhere to charge than build infrastructure which will last 10 years or more. Gassing Station | EV and Alternative Fuels | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff