Little Chef chain to install 126 EV charge stations across the United Kingdom
The Little Chef restaurant chain in the United Kingdom (UK) will initially install 63 charging docks, with the goal of installing 126 stations by spring 2012. This program is undertaken in partnership with SSE, the UKs second largest power generation company, and Chargemaster plc, the UKs leading EV charging solution provider. With the abundance of charge stations, 90% of the UK will be within 30 miles of a charging dock. The goal is to have all 162 Little Chef restaurants equipped with EV charging capability by the end of 2012.
The charge docks will offer charging up to 7 kilowatts which will provide for current LEAF power consumption of 3.3 kilowatts and also satisfy other vehicles with 6.6 kilowatt onboard chargers. Also, when future LEAF models are fitted with uprated 6.6 kilowatt onboard chargers their charge time will be reduced by half. In the United States, it is expected that the 2013 LEAF built in Smyrna, Tennessee will house the more capable charger. These charge stations will be provided at no cost through the end of 2012. There was no mention of what the charge rate might be beyond that time.
Chargemaster has already established partnerships with several other companies as well, providing for a significant EV charging infrastructure in the UK.