Vital EV and AW Energy have opened a smart electric vehicle charging station in the UK that is powered by renewable energy.

Situated near AW Group’s Checkley Wood onshore wind turbine, this station has 14 high-speed EV charging points, specified by Vital EV, and operating at up 1kV, with 900kW total charging capacity currently available. The site has the capability to increase operation to 1.6MW and able deliver 300kW of charging power to a single connector.

As well as for public use, there is a designated area for bus and heavy goods vehicle charging.

Located next to the A5 trunk road between Dunstable and Milton Keynes, the site is set to make an impact on sustainable transportation in the region.

Powering this initiative is the 4.1MW onshore wind turbine, which commenced generating electricity in January 2024. With 56-metre-long blades and a total rotor diameter of 115 metres, this turbine has the capacity to produce over 10.15 million kWh annually. This is ample to fulfil the annual electricity requirements of more than 2800 homes or facilitate over 225,000 electric vehicle rapid charges per year.

AW Energy’s approach is evident in the direct wire technology that will be used to supply power to the EV station directly from the wind turbine. This move marks a milestone for both the electric vehicle market and the renewables industry in the UK, as it is a UK first.

Vital EV was instrumental in bringing the project to life from the initial consultation phase, through to the specification, design, installation and commissioning of the charging infrastructure selected to deliver the maximum available charging up-time, with Kempower equipment. The site will be serviced and maintained with support from DC charging specialists.

With investments exceeding £10m in its renewable energy infrastructure, the commitment of AW Group (www.awgroup.org.uk) to sustainable practices is exemplified through the operation of two of England’s tallest onshore wind turbines.

“When AW Energy approached us to provide them with a consultative approach to helping them satisfy their requirements, we were delighted to work on the project which I believe is a fantastic innovation in the EV charging sector with the direct wire technology from the turbine,” said Alex Rae, managing director of Vital EV. “Vital EV has worked closely with AW Energy to bring this sustainable EV charging hub online to serve the customers at the Checkley Wood site, and will continue to support the operations onsite with a comprehensive support and maintenance service.”

John Fairlie, managing director of AW Renewables, added: “The introduction of the UK’s inaugural electric vehicle charging station, harnessing on-site wind energy, represents a pivotal moment for both the renewable energy and electric vehicle sectors. We have been proud to work with Vital EV throughout the process, and remain grateful for their experience, professionalism and commitment to our vision. This historic investment underscores AW Group’s unwavering dedication to delivering environmentally friendly, reliable and cost-effective energy that is instrumental in the UK’s journey towards sustainability.”

Vital EV (vital-ev.co.uk) is a DC charging specialist for fleets and charge point operators, from product supply, site surveys and installation, through to service, repair and maintenance. It is an authorised sales and service provider for Kempower, Alpitronic, Quench, Autel and Enelion. Its Occulus charge management software allows fleet managers to oversee pricing, usage and access from a single portal across multiple brands.