RAW Charging is poised to deploy 1,000 new electric vehicle (EV) charging bays across 28 retail and leisure destinations in the UK, including plans for the nation’s largest destination charging hub at Bluewater Shopping Centre. The £24.5 million initiative will cover key Landsec sites such as Bluewater, Gunwharf Quays, White Rose Shopping Centre, and Brighton Marina. This expansive rollout will feature 554 AC fast chargers and 446 DC rapid chargers, some of which have been installed prior to the official announcement.
The ambitious plan, while extensive, is set within a 20-year partnership between Landsec and RAW Charging, ensuring the infrastructure’s longevity and adaptability. This includes maintenance and upgrades to existing chargers that no longer meet expectations for speed, reliability, or accessibility.
Bluewater, located in Kent, is the flagship project for this rollout. Landsec, having increased its ownership in 2021, aims to enhance the already substantial EV charging facilities at the site. Currently, Bluewater is served by Pod Point chargers and Tesla Superchargers, but these are heavily utilised due to the centre’s popularity, being the fifth largest in the UK. Initial deployments included eight Pod Point and five Tesla Superchargers, expanded to 39 and 17 respectively, allowing for 56 simultaneous charges — a modest capacity given the centre’s 13,000 parking spaces.
Although detailed plans for the number of new chargers at Bluewater remain undisclosed, the ambition is clear: to surpass the capacity of the current largest destination EV charging hub at the NEC in Birmingham. The NEC can charge up to 180 vehicles concurrently, three times the current capacity at Bluewater.
Neil Broadbank, Chief Commercial Officer at RAW Charging, stated, “We’re proud to partner with Landsec, whose top-tier retail and leisure destinations attract millions of visitors each year. Our EV charging hubs give customers confidence to recharge on arrival, enhancing their experience and keeping them on-site longer. This investment goes beyond infrastructure—it’s about connecting amazing places and supporting the UK’s transition to cleaner, greener transport.”
Ben Padley, Head of Consumer at Landsec, commented, “Our destinations welcome millions of visitors each year and are hubs for communities across the UK. Creating exceptional experiences while supporting a more sustainable future is central to how we shape those places. As more drivers switch to electric, retail destinations like ours have a clear responsibility to make charging simple, accessible and part of everyday life. Through our partnership with RAW Charging, we’re embedding high-quality, future-ready EV infrastructure across our portfolio.”
The rollout further extends RAW Charging’s presence at diverse locations, including National Trust properties, Legoland Windsor, Alton Towers, McArthurGlen Designer Outlets, and numerous hotel groups.
