The British charging operator says the first six months of 2026 were its strongest rollout period, with 285 new bays across 24 new or expanded locations.
Key facts
- GRIDSERVE added 285 charging bays across 24 new or expanded sites during the first half of 2026.
- The new Markham Vale Electric Forecourt has 39 ultra-rapid bays and chargers capable of up to 400 kW.
- The site includes accessible bays and drive-through charging for larger vehicles and towing combinations.
- GRIDSERVE says its nationwide network now covers more than 200 UK locations.
A larger scale of public charging
The rollout includes motorway hubs and a new flagship Electric Forecourt at Markham Vale near the M1. Large sites reduce the chance that every connector is occupied at the same time and can serve different vehicle types.
The total number of bays is more meaningful than a simple site count, but availability also depends on reliability, queue management, payment and the electrical capacity behind the chargers.
Markham Vale combines 39 bays and 400 kW hardware
The flagship location provides 39 ultra-rapid bays, including accessible spaces and drive-through positions for vans, trucks, coaches and vehicles towing trailers. The charging units are rated for up to 400 kW.
A high rating does not guarantee that every vehicle will receive 400 kW. Charging curves, battery temperature, state of charge and site power sharing determine the actual rate.
More than passenger cars
Drive-through bays reflect the growth of electric commercial vehicles and larger combinations. A driver towing a trailer can charge without unhitching, while an electric truck or coach needs enough turning space and cable reach.
These practical design details are increasingly important as charging locations begin serving mixed traffic rather than only private cars.
What other markets can learn
The expansion shows the value of planning sites with spare capacity, clear payment options, live availability and room for future upgrades. Building a large site is expensive, but repeated expansion at a constrained location can be even more costly.
For home and workplace charging, the scale is different, yet the same principle applies: check the electrical supply, cable route, protection and expected future load before choosing equipment.