RCS installs UK's first electric vehicle rapid-charge station

The charging station has been installed at the £7.5m-turnover printer’s facility in Retford, Nottingham-shire, and was officially opened by transport minister Norman Baker last Wednesday.

It is used by RCS to recharge its six-strong fleet of electric sales and delivery vehicles, but will also be part of the Midlands ‘Plugged-in Places’ (PIP) public charging network, which means that any member of the public can use the station at no cost.

Rapid-charging reduces electric-vehicle charging times from 8 hours via regular alternating current (AC) to as little as 15 to 30 minutes, enabling drivers to quickly recharge and keep driving.

The printer, which has 110 staff, invested £150,000 in six electric cars 18 months ago as part of a wider environmental programme that has seen the company achieve the ISO4001 standard and become FSC certified.

The charger was 40% funded by the PIP project, part of the UK government’s programme to develop electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the UK.

RCS managing director Michael Todd said: "We are passionate about the environment and have already invested in both renewable energy for our plant and our own fleet of electric vehicles.

"This new rapid-charging point is the next step in our own environmental programme and being so close to the A1, it provides a convenient addition to the UK charging infrastructure for motorists and companies that have electric vehicles."

The rollout of a nationwide recharging infrastructure is a key part of the government’s drive to promote electric-mobility and reduce carbon emissions from road transport.

The government’s Plug-in Car and Van grant schemes subsidise the purchase price of electric cars by 25% up to £5,000 and electric vans by 20% up to £8,000. 

The other Plugged-in Places are London, Milton Keynes, the North East, Greater Manchester, East of England, Northern Ireland and Scotland.