WORK is underway in Oxfordshire to build one of the UK’s largest hubs for charging electric vehicles.

The hub will be situated off the M40 in Banbury and will be active from late summer.

It is one of eight CPE250 chargers set to be introduced by electric vehicle charging providers InstaVolt.

Adrian Keen, chief executive officer of InstaVolt, said: “Strategically, the Banbury hub is very important to us as it sits just off one of the country’s busiest motorways, serving the capital in one direction and the UK’s second city Birmingham, in the other.

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“With eight chargers it means drivers will be able to rely on a recharge when they need it most and they will also have the benefit of enjoying the facilities on site while they charge.”

Those facilities include Costa Coffee, Frankie & Benny’s restaurant, and a Miller & Carter steakhouse at junction 11.

Mr Keen added: “A lack of charging infrastructure on the country’s motorways is often cited as a concern for current and prospective electric vehicle drivers.

“We are solving that problem by deploying chargers where drivers need them most by developing sites up and down the road network just a few hundred metres from motorway junctions.”

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Victoria Prentis, MP for Banbury and North Oxfordshire, added: “It is brilliant news that one of the UK’s largest rapid charging hubs is going to be built in Banbury.”

InstaVolt operates an ‘open charger’ model, so anyone can use its charging points on a pay-as-you-go basis.

No monthly subscription or membership cards are required with drivers just needing a contactless payment card to start a charging session.

To find your nearest InstaVolt charger, visit: instavolt.co.uk/find-a-charge-point