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In a quest to address the growing demand for electric vehicle charging in urban areas, Hubber, a company established by former Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) UK employees, has secured substantial equity funding. As electric vehicle adoption accelerates, urban infrastructure struggles to keep pace, creating an opportunity for companies like Hubber to bridge the gap. The initiative aims to transform urban charging landscapes and cater to commercial fleet needs, a segment rapidly electrifying.
Similar efforts in the electric vehicle charging sector have been observed, with companies like Ionity and Gridserve also building networks to support urban electrification. However, these initiatives often focus on general public charging rather than providing targeted solutions for commercial fleets. Hubber’s approach is distinct as it aims to specifically fill the urban infrastructure void. Historically, larger players have largely concentrated on highway and inter-city charging stations, emphasizing long-range travel support while often overlooking urban centers’ specific needs.
How will Hubber utilize the capital infusion?
The company intends to utilize the £60M raised to install 30 high-powered charging hubs in major UK cities, contributing to 100 MW of grid capacity. The expanded network is set to expedite charging times and enhance reliability for commercial fleets. These hubs, starting with Lewisham on August 20 in collaboration with RAW Charging, are expected to serve as prototypes for future deployments.
What challenges does urban charging face?
Urban EV charging infrastructure in the UK faces significant challenges, including site selection and deployment efficiency. With a focus on developing optimal urban locations, Hubber aims to address these hurdles utilizing a proprietary model that streamlines construction processes. The need for fast charge-turnaround is critical according to company leaders, ensuring that urban fleets remain operationally efficient.
The leadership team at Hubber brings substantial experience, having previously overseen extensive Tesla Supercharger installations. This expertise is further supplemented by senior advisors across real estate and energy sectors, aiming to scale operations efficiently. As stated by Hubber CEO Harry Fox,
“The fleets doing the most miles—taxis, ride-hail, delivery vans, buses—are electrifying fast, yet city infrastructure is lagging. Large, high-powered hubs are the key to enabling continuous, efficient, and scalable operations, but persistent delays leave a critical shortfall just as demand is surging.”
Investor James Bayliss highlighted the project’s potential impact, remarking,
“Urban EV charging remains one of the UK’s biggest infrastructure challenges. This uniquely skilled team now has the capital to address it, and we expect their work to make a significant and lasting impact on the country’s electrification.”
Thus, Hubber’s move targets not only an immediate gap in the market but also sets a precedent for future infrastructure strategies.
As EVs become more prevalent, urban areas remain under significant pressure to develop effective charging facilities. Hubber’s efforts are noteworthy for focusing on urban and commercial fleet needs while attempting to offer scalable solutions. The company’s plans underscore the necessity of quick infrastructure development to support environmental and transport goals.
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