Chesterfield Welcomes Largest Ultra Rapid EV Charging Hub at Ravenside Retail Park
RAW Charging, a prominent electric vehicle (EV) chargepoint operator, has officially opened its inaugural EV charging hub in collaboration with Landsec at Ravenside Retail Park in Chesterfield. This launch marks a significant milestone in a £24.5 million national expansion plan.
The newly established hub features 16 ultra rapid EV charging bays, each capable of delivering charging speeds of up to 150kW. Strategically located, Ravenside Retail Park allows local shoppers to conveniently charge their vehicles while visiting popular retailers such as Asda Living, Curry’s, and Hobbycraft, and is within walking distance of Chesterfield town centre.
This site is the first of many planned across Landsec’s portfolio, with a total of 1,000 new charging bays expected to be operational by 2027.
Ravenside Retail Park: A Key Retail Destination
Ravenside Retail Park serves as a vital shopping hub for Chesterfield, featuring a diverse range of retailers, including electrical goods, clothing, and dining options. Notable stores include HobbyCraft, Asda Living, B&M Bargains, Poundland, Currys, PC World, Next, Pets at Home, Pizza Hut, Costa, and Bensons for Beds. The addition of 16 new EV charging bays enhances the experience for visitors, allowing them to charge their vehicles efficiently while enjoying the retail offerings.
Nationwide Expansion for Sustainable Charging Solutions
The Ravenside hub is part of a broader initiative by RAW Charging and Landsec to roll out over 1,000 new charging bays across 28 flagship retail and leisure locations, including Bluewater, Gunwharf Quays, White Rose Shopping Centre, and Brighton Marina. This rollout is set to progress rapidly through 2026, as both companies aim to modernise outdated infrastructure and provide top-tier EV charging technology for millions of users annually.
The 20-year partnership will also focus on a comprehensive replacement and upgrade programme to enhance legacy charging infrastructure, ensuring it meets contemporary standards for speed, reliability, and accessibility. These improvements are anticipated to reduce charging times significantly, with some chargers capable of fully charging a vehicle within a dwell time of 30 minutes to 1.5 hours, thus benefiting both shoppers and retailers alike.
The charging network will be accessible through contactless payment options and all major EV charging applications, ensuring a smooth experience for every visitor.
Neil Broadbank, Chief Commercial Officer of RAW Charging, expressed enthusiasm about the launch, stating, “We are thrilled to launch our first EV charging hub with Landsec at Ravenside Retail Park. Our roll-out of EV chargers with Landsec is nationally significant, adding 1,000 new bays across the country before 2027. We are bringing reliable, rapid, and accessible charging to shoppers and look forward to welcoming drivers to Ravenside and to many more Landsec sites in the months ahead.”
