CONSTRUCTION has begun on a controversial EV charging hub north of Winchester.

InstaVolt, the company in charge of the project, held a ground-breaking ceremony to mark the occasion.

Located at Three Maids Hill near the A34, the hub will have 44 rapid charging bays, including drive-through bays for large vehicles and accessible charging bays, as well as an on-site restaurant and play area.

Planning officers had argued against the site, but the planning committee overruled them, approving the plans last December.

There are also concerns that the area is becoming too built-up after other projects, including a waste recycling centre and an anaerobic digestion facility, were waved through. 

Those in favour of the charging hub, however, have stressed the urgent need for sites such as the one in Three Maids Hill.

Speaking last December, city councillor Danny Lee of the Green Party said: “We're in a climate crisis and we have a shortage of chargers. We need to encourage the use of electric vehicles.”

(Image: InstaVolt)

Basingstoke-based InstaVolt is the UK’s largest rapid EV charging network and CEO Delvin Lane said: “Three Maids is the first of our new generation of Super Hubs. It represents a major landmark for us and will be game-changing for EV drivers.

“Linking the South with the Midlands and beyond, the site will be a gateway to the Jurassic Coast and the South West for EV drivers who will be able to head off south confident in the knowledge that they will be able to stop off, have the convenience of contactless payment, and get a fast and reliable charge.”

City councillor Kelsie Learney, cabinet member for climate emergency, gave the plans her full backing when they came out last year.

Cllr Learney joined Delvin Lane for the ground-breaking and said: “Switching to electric vehicles is a key part of our strategy for decarbonising going forward and facilities like this play an important part in enabling that.”

Work on Three Maids is part of InstaVolt’s new phase of growth to deliver on its commitment to install 11,000 ultra rapid chargers in the UK and Ireland.