Everything Electric Podcast The Real Reason Why Charging is SO Expensive...
Feb 16, 2026
Tom Hurst, UK Country Director for Fastned, leads design and delivery of ultra-rapid EV charging hubs across the UK. He discusses building high-visibility, amenity-first drive-through and canopy hubs, tackling grid and legal hurdles that slow rollout, and the hefty costs behind fast charging. He also covers strategic partnerships like the Places for London joint venture and plans for large-scale 400kW sites.
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Newcastle Drive-Through Hub Example
- Fastned favours drive-through hubs that let trailers and long vehicles charge without blocking bays.
- The Newcastle Airport site is a 12-charger, 400 kW drive-through with canopy and amenities planned nearby.
Early Regional Partnerships Accelerate Rollout
- Regional commitment and early partnership (e.g., Sunderland) accelerated Fastned's UK rollout and local adoption.
- Investing beyond London yielded strong usage and community support across the UK.
Engage Landlords And Lawyers Early
- Address deployment friction by engaging landlords, lawyers, grid operators, and local authorities early and directly.
- Expect legal and commercial negotiations to be major sources of delay and plan timelines accordingly.