Fastned has opened its latest ultra-rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging station in Washington. 

Based off the A183 on Parsons Road, the station comprises eight charging bays, each of which is supplied by 100% renewable energy, and is capable of adding up to 300 miles of range to fully-electric cars in 20 minutes.

It is situated next to a number of amenities, including a Greggs.

The launch is Fastned’s 13th in the UK and its 7th in the North-East.

Tom Hurst, UK country manager for Fastned, said: “Our new Washington site, based just down the road from Nissan’s EV powerhouse, adds to the fantastic network of charging stations we have established in the area.

“We look forward to welcoming drivers from Washington and beyond to our award-winning, unique electric vehicle charging experience that puts drivers at the centre.”

The new station opens as Fastned was ranked the joint best charging point operator in the UK, according to users of Zap-Map. 

Fastned says it will play a vital role in providing fast, reliable and accessible charging to the growing number of EVs, including private and commercial vehicles.

The new station is also Fastned’s first ultra-rapid station in the North-East of England to be fully funded by the company and built without grant support. 

Figures released yesterday (January 25) by the Department for Transport (DfT) showed that the number of public EV charging devices has increased by 8,680, a 31% increase in the past year.

The number of rapid charging or above devices increased by 34%, with an additional 1,731 public devices installed.

Proportionately, the largest increase in installations was within the ultra-rapid device category, which increased by 10% in the past quarter (albeit from a lower base than other categories), accounting for 211 charging devices.

Ultra-rapid charging devices are still the smallest overall category with just 2,295 devices.

Proportionately, the smallest increase in charging devices installations was in the slow charging devices categories, with an increase of 5% or 417 charging devices.

Fast charging devices are still the most common category to be publicly installed, growing by 8% or 1,509 devices.

> Interested in comparing electric vehicle data? Check out our EV tool.

> Interested in ensuring the efficient use of EVs. Check out our dedicated editorial sections: Insight & policy | EV news | Charging & infrastructure | Costs & incentives | Benefit-in-kind | EV case studies | EV road tests

> EVs by range

> EVs by their efficiency

> Rapid charging EVs

> EVs by price: lowest to highest