Overview
Arnold Clark Charge has deployed more than 50 ultra-rapid EV charging hubs under a £30 million investment and plans further UK expansion beyond its Scottish base. Sites are open to the public, typically located at Arnold Clark branches, and each hub offers up to 12 high-power chargers delivering speeds up to 150 kW. Pricing is set at 55p per kWh, and the network launched in 2024.
Key details
- Investment and scale: £30m for 50+ ultra-rapid hubs, with capacity-focused sites (up to 12 chargers each).
- Public access and locations: Hubs sited at dealer branches to support long-distance travel and local communities.
- Speed and compatibility: Up to 150 kW, near the top end for many mainstream EVs today.
- Pricing: Flat rate of 55p/kWh across the ultra-rapid network (as reported).
- Payments: App, roaming partners, and universal contactless acceptance at all hubs.
Pricing context
The 55p/kWh rate undercuts the 76p/kWh UK average cited by Motor Trader by 21p, roughly 28% lower on a per-unit basis. The article does not specify time-of-day pricing, location-based variation, or membership discounts.
Recognition and user feedback
In the Zapmap 2025 Awards, Arnold Clark Charge was named “Up-and-Coming Rapid/Ultra-rapid EV Charging Network.” In Zapmap’s survey of 4,000 UK EV drivers, it received high marks across five metrics and the highest score for customer support, with additional praise for pricing, reliability, and ease of use.
Strategy and implications
- Property footprint: Hosting hubs at existing branches leverages parking, amenities, and grid connections, opening a new revenue stream beyond sales and servicing.
- Capacity-first design: Larger multi-bay hubs aim to reduce queuing and improve availability at busy times.
- Market positioning: The company bills itself as Scotland’s largest ultra-rapid network and is targeting “key” UK locations next.
- Simplified access: Consistent pricing and multiple payment options address common friction points in public charging.
- Service focus: Emphasis on responsive customer support and reliability to drive loyalty as the network scales.
Quote
“With Arnold Clark Charge, our aim is to give drivers quick, reliable and affordable charging wherever they travel… We’ll continue expanding into key locations and listening to customer feedback to deliver the best possible charging experience,” said Pablo Levi, group sustainability manager.
What to watch
- Specific locations and timeline for the next wave of hubs outside Scotland.
- Uptime, maintenance responsiveness, and scalability as the footprint grows.
- How the 55p/kWh headline rate evolves relative to energy costs and competitors.
- Technical mix and any future additions (e.g., higher-power units or additional amenities).
- Utilization patterns across long-distance corridors and local communities.
