What’s Happening
Osprey Charging, a top-ranking electric vehicle (EV) charging network in the UK, has inaugurated its largest ultra-rapid EV charging hub in the South West. Located at Salmon’s Leap, Buckfastleigh on the A38 Devon Expressway, the 16-bay dedicated EV charging station is set to serve high volumes of seasonal traffic.
Why It Matters
The timely launch of this flagship 1.6-acre site anticipates a busy summer season in Devon. However, the significance extends beyond seasonal demands. The hub offers reliable EV infrastructure to residents, businesses, and visitors, supporting efforts to enhance air quality, reduce noise pollution, and advance local decarbonisation initiatives.
Key Points
As Osprey’s first land acquisition, Salmon’s Leap has been meticulously designed to accommodate all types of vehicles and drivers. Noteworthy features include extra-long bays for towing vehicles, extra-wide bays for full disabled access, and a unique layout that maximizes space and charging convenience.
The site also promises to be a culinary delight, with the soon-to-open Strawberry Fields farm shop on-site, offering a range of homemade and homegrown products, bakery items, fresh ready meals, and a coffee shop.
The hub is conveniently located with access from both the Plymouth-bound and Exeter-bound carriageways of the A38. A planning application for a service-station style canopy is underway to further enhance the site.
A key technological feature of this hub is the 16 high-power charge points, compatible with all rapid-charging vehicles. These 300kW chargers can deliver 100 miles of range in just 15-25 minutes, thanks to the latest load-balancing technology.
Bottom Line
Ian Johnston, CEO of Osprey Charging, hailed the opening of Salmon’s Leap as a significant milestone for the Osprey team, noting their continued efforts to rapidly deploy nationwide infrastructure for EV charging stations. Osprey has demonstrated its commitment to this expansion with its impressive growth in the first quarter of 2023, installing as many chargers as they did throughout the whole of 2022.
The rising tide of EV adoption in the UK underscores the importance of such infrastructure. More than one-fifth of new vehicles registered in the UK in 2023 are electric, a trend likely to increase with the impending 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles.
Consistently ranked among the top 3 UK rapid networks for customer satisfaction by Zap-Map, and with high scores for safety and accessibility from independent inspection body ChargeSafe, Osprey Charging is proving to be a reliable ally in the country’s journey towards a more sustainable future.
