The UK’s largest destination electric vehicle charging hub is set to open at Bluewater Shopping Centre as part of a £24.5 million national charging rollout led by RAW Charging in partnership with Landsec, the co-owner and operator of major retail destinations including Westgate Oxford.
The project forms part of a wider programme that will deliver 1,000 new charging bays across 28 Landsec retail and leisure destinations throughout the UK, including Gunwharf Quays, White Rose Shopping Centre and Brighton Marina, with some installations already completed.
The network will include 554 AC fast chargers and 446 DC rapid chargers, designed to meet increasing demand from electric vehicle drivers and support retailers by encouraging longer visits at shopping and leisure destinations.
According to RAW Charging, locating charging hubs at high-footfall destinations is expected to increase customer dwell time, with visitors more likely to spend longer on-site while using retail, dining and leisure facilities.
The 20-year partnership will also include the replacement and upgrade of older charging points across Landsec’s portfolio, modernising infrastructure that no longer meets current standards for speed, reliability or accessibility.
Some of the new rapid chargers are expected to recharge vehicles within typical shopping dwell times of between 30 minutes and 90 minutes, while the full network will be accessible through contactless payment and major EV charging apps.
Landsec says its destinations attract more than 20 million visitors each year, making the sites well placed to support charging demand at scale.
RAW Charging already provides charging infrastructure at destinations including the National Trust, Merlin Entertainments attractions such as LEGOLAND Windsor Resort and Alton Towers Resort, as well as retail outlets and hotel groups, supporting more than 400,000 electric journeys annually.
Neil Broadbank, chief commercial officer at RAW Charging, said: “We’re proud to partner with Landsec, whose top-tier retail and leisure destinations attract millions of visitors each year.
“Our EV charging hubs give customers confidence to recharge on arrival, enhancing their experience and keeping them on-site longer. This investment goes beyond infrastructure – it’s about connecting amazing places and supporting the UK’s transition to cleaner, greener transport.”
Ben Padley, head of consumer at Landsec, added that the investment would strengthen visitor experience while helping make EV charging part of everyday retail travel.
