UK: Extra MSA to boost EV charging capacity by almost 300% by 2026

UK motorway service area operator Extra MSA wants to grow its fast-charging network by 290% before the end of 2026. Working with Ionity, it will expand from 60 to 234 350kW charge points across its eight service stations in England.

The expansion is already underway, with the sites Cambridge Services, Cobham Services, and Peterborough Services each now hosting 24 chargers. Further installations are scheduled for Leeds Skelton Lake Services, Blackburn Services, and Baldock Services, before the end of this year.

Extra MSA states that it was the first UK motorway service operator to exceed the government target of installing at least six high-powered chargers at each service area. Extra and Ionity have already worked together in the past, signing a collaboration deal in 2019.

“Ionity’s 350kW ultra-fast charge points are some of the highest-powered and most efficient facilities available, reflecting our commitment to investing in the best possible customer experience,” said Tom Dobson, CEO at Extra MSA Group. “We know that we have a part to play in driving forward the net zero agenda, so we’re determined to expand our EV charging provision by almost 300% by end of 2026 and build on our legacy as the UK’s leading motorway service provider for our EV commitment.”

“We’ve been partnered with Extra MSA for many years, leading the way in delivering the highest standard of infrastructure on some of the UK’s busiest roads,” said Andreas Atkins, Country Manager UK & Ireland at IONITY. “Increasing 350kW chargers across England to meet the 2026 target shows the demand for more sustainable travel, and aligns with our commitment to more than double the number of publicly available stations and charging points in the UK for the third consecutive year.”

As part of its commitment to the EV transition, Extra MSA is also working to promote green skills. In collaboration with Ahead Partnership, it recently hosted an EV insights day at Leeds Skelton Lake Services for Year 10 students to explore career opportunities in sustainable transportation. The operator’s eight motorway service areas include locations at Baldock, Beaconsfield, Blackburn with Darwen, Cambridge, Cobham, Cullompton, Leeds Skelton Lake and Peterborough.

Source: Information per e-mail