EDP will launch the first fast charging point for electric vehicles in eastern Asturias. It will be locatedin the A8, in Posada de Llanes, being added to the fast point that already exists in Gijón, in the eco-station of EDP ande Roces, where gas and electricity can be refueled. The new recharge point will be active in the first quarter of 2018, after an investment of 50,000 euros.

This is one of the steps EDP is takingin the development of a fast charging network for electric vehicles at strategic points. This, together with the expansion of collaborations with the Asturian municipalities, are the objectives of the ambitious EDP plan in the field of sustainable mobility, which will allow adding new recharging points to its current network in the region.

To expand the network, EDP reached an agreement to install a quick point on the A8, at the Vega Service Station (Posada de Llanes), and is working to launch new infrastructures at Ribadesella service stations, Pola de Laviana, Avilés, Cudillero, Tapia de Casariego and Cangas del Narcea.

Another of the strategic points is Oviedo, where EDP plans to build and launch an eco-station. After the launch of the Roces (Gijón), the first in northern Spain and that involved an investment of more than 400,000 euros, it will the second installation of these characteristics in the region.

The eco-station in Oviedo will be located in La Corredoria and will have, as in Roces, both a fast recharge point and an area for refueling compressed natural gas.

In addition, the company is working to reach an agreement with the Asturias Airport to install a quick point in its parking lot.

The agreement to install the first fast point in service stations has been signed at the corporate headquarters of EDP in Oviedo, between Guillermo de la Vega, responsible for the Service Station of La Vega; and Antonio González-Lamuño, director of Casa Inteligente (Smart Home)of EDP ispain.

During the signing, De la Vega stressed that "this agreement is an opportunity. It allows us to adapt to future mobility needs and be a reference for users of this type of vehicle traveling through eastern Asturias ".

For Gonzalez-Lamuño "it is a new and important step in the commitment of EDP with sustainable mobility, within a broader project that seeks to make available to users a network that supports the recharges made in their homes."

EDP will invest 50,000 euros in this new infrastructure. It is a recharging point with a power of 50 KW, which will allow recharging vehicles in an estimated time of between 15 and 20 minutes, approximately. It will be active in the first quarter of 2018 and payment can be made with the EDP mobility card, which can be requested from the company.

Local agreements

In addition to this recharging network, EDP maintains its commitment to the Asturian municipalities to encourage the use of electric vehicles. As a result of different agreements, the company has collaborated in the installation of five points in Gijón; two in Pola de Siero; and one in Candás, Piedrasblancas and Salinas.

This recharging network in urban environments will increase soon. EDP will install recharging points in Corvera, Llanera and Villaviciosa. In this last municipality, the works are already very advanced.

The use of the electric vehicle has many associated advantages, both environmental and economic. On the one hand, its use does not imply emissions or noise pollution. The savings, with respect to combustion vehicles, can reach up to 80%. On the other hand, the efficiency of these vehicles is three times higher than that of combustion, with a much lower maintenance cost.

This extensive recharging network, both on express roads and in urban environments, provides Asturias with the necessary infrastructure to promote the use of electric vehicles. It is a network that complements the points that users of these vehicles can install in their garages, where they perform the main recharging of the vehicle. In this regard, EDP offers its customers advantageous solutions adapted to their needs.

Sustainable mobility is one of EDP's priorities. This is one of the areas that will most impact the energy sector and will be essential for the decarbonisation of transport, representing a growing percentage of car sales in the world.