Zest accelerates EV charging rollout with new Birmingham and Leicester hubs
The company continues to transform disused sites into ultra-rapid charging destinations.
Zest is accelerating the rollout of its nationwide electric vehicle (EV) charging network with the opening of two new urban hubs in Birmingham and Leicester. The projects highlight the company’s strategy of regenerating underused spaces into cost-effective, high-speed charging destinations in city neighborhoods that have been underserved by infrastructure to date.
The Birmingham hub has transformed a long-derelict former rail station site into a modern facility with 16 ultra-rapid bays capable of delivering up to 300kW. The site also integrates an InPost parcel locker, adding convenience for residents and visitors while supporting local regeneration.
In Leicester, Zest has converted a former car wash site on Uppingham Road into a 10-bay hub, also offering 300kW charging.
“To meet the growing demand for electric vehicles, we need to build abundant infrastructure where people actually need it, close to where they live and work,” said Robin Heap, CEO at Zest. Supporting the shift to electric vehicles is essential to improving urban air quality and addressing the climate change. Infrastructure like this helps make that shift more practical, for more people, more quickly.”
The investments have been welcomed by local authorities, who view them as both environmental and economic opportunities. Councillor Chaman Lal of Birmingham City Council called the project “an investment that secures the future of the Jewellery Quarter,” while Councillor Sanjay Modhwadia of Leicester City Council described the Uppingham Road hub as “a meaningful step toward a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.”
The two launches build on Zest’s recent hubs in London, Enfield, and Bolton, underscoring its ambition to create abundant, accessible charging across the UK. By combining rapid deployment with urban regeneration, Zest is positioning itself as a leading force in the country’s shift to cleaner transport.
