Hubber Powers Up: Ex-Tesla Team Tackles UK’s Urban EV Charging Crisis – Breaking News
London, UK – August 18, 2024 – A new player has entered the electric vehicle (EV) charging arena, and it’s coming with serious horsepower. Hubber, founded by veterans of Tesla’s Supercharger team, officially launched today, aiming to solve a growing pain point for EV drivers, particularly in bustling urban environments: the lack of readily available, high-speed charging. This is a breaking news development with significant implications for the future of EV adoption in the UK and beyond, and a key story for Google News watchers.
From Superchargers to City Solutions: The Hubber Story
The genesis of Hubber lies in last year’s unexpected disbanding of Tesla’s entire charging department. Instead of scattering, three key individuals – Harry Fox, Connor Selwood, and Hugh Leckie – saw an opportunity. Collectively responsible for deploying over 100 Supercharging stations and 1,200 charging piles across the UK and Ireland during their time at Tesla, they’ve channeled their expertise into addressing what they call the “urban charging gap.” This isn’t just about adding more chargers; it’s about strategically placing the right kind of chargers in locations that truly serve the needs of drivers.
Why Urban Charging is Different – And Why Hubber’s Approach Matters
While highway Superchargers cater to long-distance travel, city charging demands are unique. Many urban residents lack access to home charging – no garage, limited street parking with charging points. This creates a reliance on public infrastructure, and current offerings often fall short. Hubber is specifically targeting this need, recognizing that commercial vehicles – taxis and last-mile delivery vans – have even more pressing requirements. These vehicles charge significantly faster and more frequently than private cars, demanding a robust and reliable network.
“Taxis charge five times faster than private cars,” explains Hubber. “They need consistent access to fast charging facilities.” The company isn’t shying away from unconventional locations either. They’re actively exploring transforming underutilized spaces – old warehouses, former gas stations – into high-throughput charging hubs. This innovative approach, informed by their Tesla experience in site selection, could unlock charging potential in areas developers might otherwise overlook. This is a smart SEO strategy, targeting long-tail keywords like “urban EV charging solutions” and “commercial EV charging infrastructure.”
Beyond Today: Future-Proofing for Autonomous Vehicles
Hubber isn’t just focused on the present. They’re also looking ahead to the future of transportation, considering the implications of autonomous driving. While fully autonomous charging solutions are still in development, Hubber is designing its hubs with the potential to accommodate driverless vehicles, ensuring long-term relevance and adaptability. This forward-thinking approach demonstrates a commitment to building infrastructure that will support the evolving needs of the EV landscape.
£60 Million Investment Fuels Rapid Expansion
Backed by a substantial £60 million investment (approximately RMB 584 million), Hubber is poised for rapid growth. Their first facility, located in Forest Hills, South London, opens this week on August 20th. The site boasts 12 charging potentials, including six ultra-fast chargers – three at 150kW and three at 300kW – and will be operated by RAW Charging, offering free fast charging during its opening week. This initial launch is a clear signal of Hubber’s commitment to delivering on its promise of convenient, high-speed charging.
The launch of Hubber isn’t just a new business venture; it’s a response to a critical need in the UK’s transition to electric mobility. By focusing on the unique challenges of urban charging and leveraging the expertise of a team that helped build one of the world’s most successful charging networks, Hubber is positioning itself as a key player in powering the future of transportation. Stay tuned to archyde.com for continued coverage of this developing story and the latest advancements in EV infrastructure.
