A PIONEERING new type of charging hub for electric vehicles is being trialled in Runcorn.

Leiria Way has been chosen to pilot the new EnSmartEV system which can fast charge six electric vehicles (EVs) at the same time.

The technology differs from other types of charging points in that it can charge EVs directly from solar power or from off-peak, cheaper rate national grid electricity which it stores in its Lithium Ion battery overnight.

The Government-backed initiative has seen a brand-new battery container and three EV charging posts installed.

The £350,000 project has been jointly funded by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicle (OZEV) through Innovate UK and Entrust Microgrid.

Cllr Stef Nelson, the council’s portfolio holder for environment and urban renewal, said: “The council announced a climate emergency in October 2019, and has sought to reduce our borough’s carbon footprint.

“We are doing this by improving sustainable transport with better cycle and walking networks, using recycled materials where possible to maintain our infrastructure, reducing emissions from fleet vehicles, improving access to publicly available electric charging points and working with local businesses to provide sustainable travel plans.

“The EnsmartEV system not only supports Halton’s residents to make the transition to reduce their own carbon emissions from transport but demonstrates the continued investment in the borough with cutting-edge technology which supports our communities.”

The system’s developer, Entrust Microgrid, claims the system is a world first.

Xiongwei Liu, managing director at the company, said: “EnSmartEV is an entirely new system, and we are delighted to launch this in Runcorn.

“EnSmartEV is innovative because it takes low-cost overnight grid electricity and stores in batteries to charge EVs at the highest possible power efficiency during the day.

“The system is designed with great flexibility to balance the grid and feed power from the battery storage to the grid when it is called."

He added:  "This is critically important because as the more people that drive EVs the greater the impact on the electricity grid and whilst it is key to move to net zero we also to keep the lights on too.

“We are confident that EnSmartEV system will be an ideal EV charging system solution for hospitals, supermarkets, business parks and retail parks along with residential communities that will all need EV charging facilities.”