Maidstone services has become the first in the UK to be fitted with super-fast electric car chargers.

The 350 kilowatt devices, capable of charging an electric vehicle in less than 20 minutes, were unveiled today at the M20 Junction 8 service station.

Ionity, the firm behind the new machines, will be installing more in Milton Keynes and Gretna Green in the near future and hopes to build 40 such stations in the UK.

The company claims the high powered chargers will future-proof electric vehicle charging as more powerful cars, with longer lasting batteries, hit the market.

The project is being delivered with energy specialist Octopus Energy to ensure the stations are fed with energy from renewable sources.

While the chargers have been designed accommodate a new generation of cars, they work on any vehicle fitted with a European standard CCS port - the type fitted to the vast majority.

Michael Hajesch, CEO, said: "As car manufacturers continue to launch electric vehicles with bigger batteries to provide a longer range, high power charging is an essential part of the e-mobility transition process thus making the e-journey a smooth and seamless experience.

"We are passionate about making e-mobility a reality, with drivers already taking advantage of our convenient stations across Europe.

"We selected Octopus Energy to provide 100% renewable energy for our network of 40 high power charging stations in the UK. Coupled with the new charging times that 350 kilowatt makes possible, this represents an important step towards making the environmentally friendly, long distance journey an everyday reality.”

However, while the chargers boast an impressive 10-15 minute charge time for more powerful models, owners of lower powered cars will be looking at around 40 to 50 minutes.

Ionity is a joint venture between Daimler, Ford, BMW and the Volkswagen Group with Audi and Porsche.

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