New EV Fast Charging Hub Opens in Leicester has just gained a serious boost to its public charging network: Zest has opened a new ultra-rapid EV charging hub on Uppingham Road, built on the site of a former car wash and designed to make quick, convenient top-ups part of everyday city life.
The urban site delivers up to 300 kW per bay across 10 dedicated charging spaces, with simple pay-as-you-go options and roaming support through popular apps.
What’s New—and Why it Matters
The new Zest hub is notable for a few reasons:
- 10 ultra-rapid bays (up to 300 kW each). That means compatible EVs can add a significant chunk of range in the time it takes to grab a coffee or run a quick errand.
- Straightforward pricing and payment. At launch, charging is priced at 65p/kWh, and drivers can pay contactlessly or via the Zest app, with roaming through Octopus Electroverse and Plugsurfing; Allstar is supported for fleets.
- Regeneration of a local site. The hub replaces a disused car wash, turning an underused plot into a practical, future-focused amenity that supports Leicester’s cleaner-air ambitions.
This hub also complements Leicester’s growing mix of rapid options around the city and at key travel nodes. Just off M1 Junction 21, Ionity recently opened a 24-charger site at the Hilton Leicester with speeds of up to 400 kW, giving long-distance drivers a motorway-adjacent alternative while the Uppingham Road hub serves local, in-town needs.
The Details at a Glance
- Operator: Zest
- Location: Uppingham Road, Leicester (urban high-street setting)
- Capacity: 10 ultra-rapid bays
- Power: Up to 300 kW per bay
- Pricing: 65p/kWh at launch
- Payments: Contactless, Zest app, Octopus Electroverse, Plugsurfing; Allstar for fleets
Why an Urban Hub?
Placing ultra-rapid chargers on a busy city road solves a different problem than motorway forecourts. Not every driver has off-street parking or wants to detour to an out-of-town retail park just to charge.
Urban hubs like Uppingham Road shorten the “detour time” and make rapid charging feel routine: top up while shopping, running errands, or between jobs. Zest has said its goal is to build “abundant infrastructure where people actually need it, close to where they live and work,” and Leicester’s new site reflects that strategy.
How it fits Leicester’s Wider Charging Picture
With the Ionity Hilton Leicester hub now live on the motorway network—24 bays up to 400 kW, food and coffee available 24/7—the city effectively offers two complementary charging archetypes: a motorway super-site for long-haul drivers passing through, and a neighbourhood ultra-rapid hub for residents, trades, taxis, and visitors who want convenient, in-town charging. Together, they reduce queuing risk and spread demand across different journey types.
FAQs
1) Where exactly is the new hub?
It’s on Uppingham Road in Leicester, repurposing a former car-wash site into a modern charging destination.
2) How fast can I charge there?
Each bay is rated up to 300 kW. Real-world speed depends on your car’s max DC rate and the battery’s state of charge, but many modern EVs can add substantial range in well under 30 minutes.
3) How many chargers are available?
There are 10 ultra-rapid bays, giving decent capacity for a city-centre location.
4) What does it cost?
At launch, pricing is 65p per kWh. Public charging prices can change over time, so check the Zest app or your roaming app for the current tariff before plugging in.
5) How do I pay? Do I need an app?
You can pay contactlessly with a card or device. App options include the Zest app as well as roaming through Octopus Electroverse and Plugsurfing; Allstar is supported for fleets.
6) Is the site aimed at locals or long-distance drivers?
Both can use it, but it’s particularly handy for local, urban charging—quick top-ups while you’re in the area. For motorway journeys, the Ionity Hilton Leicester site near J21 of the M1 offers 24 bays up to 400 kW.
7) Does it support roaming?
Yes—Octopus, Electroverse, and Plugsurfing are supported, which is useful if you prefer managing payments and receipts through a single app. Allstar support also makes it easy for business fleets.
8) Are there facilities on site?
Zest positions this as an urban hub, so the appeal is being on a busy street with nearby amenities rather than a standalone service area. For a traditional motorway-style stop with on-site food/coffee around the clock, the Ionity Hilton Leicester location is designed for that.
9) Why is this good for Leicester?
Beyond convenience for EV drivers, the project regenerates a disused site and supports the shift to cleaner urban air by making rapid charging more accessible in the places people actually live and work. Local leaders have publicly welcomed the investment.
10) How does it compare to other UK fast-charging sites?
In power terms, 300 kW is in the top tier of public DC speeds in the UK. The 10-bay capacity makes it sizeable for a city site, while the motorway Ionity hub offers even higher power (up to 400 kW) and 24 bays for long-distance traffic. Together, they give Leicester a diversified, resilient charging offer.
11) Will my car get the full 300 kW?
Only if your vehicle supports it. Many popular models peak between 100–250 kW; colder batteries or high states of charge reduce peak rates. Use your car’s pre-conditioning (if available) and arrive with a lower state of charge for the fastest sessions.
12) Are there idle fees or time limits?
These vary by operator and site. Check the Zest app or the on-screen instructions when you plug in for any overstay/idle policies and local parking rules.
13) Can fleets use it easily?
Yes—Allstar support is built in, which simplifies cost control and receipts for business users.
14) Is this part of a wider rollout?
Yes. Zest has been rolling out urban, ultra-rapid hubs across several UK cities, with Leicester’s opening following other recent launches as the company targets underserved areas.
Summary
Leicester’s Uppingham Road ultra-rapid hub is a practical, local answer to the everyday charging question—fast, simple to pay for, and placed where people actually are. Pair it with the Hilton Leicester Ionity site by the M1 for longer trips, and the city now offers a well-balanced charging mix for residents, commuters, and pass-through drivers alike.