Sunderland AFC Kicks Off North East England's Biggest Public EV Charging Hub

Sunderland AFC has teamed up with RAW Charging to launch what the two call the largest public electric vehicle charging hub in north-east England. The facility sits at the Stadium of Light, the club’s home ground, and brings 20 ultra-rapid charging bays to the area. Most of those bays — 16 in total — deliver up to 150 kW, while the remaining four can reach 300 kW. That mix is designed to serve both everyday drivers who need a quick top-up and those passing through who want the fastest possible charge.

The partnership highlights a growing trend among sports clubs and entertainment venues: using their large, often underused parking areas to host public charging infrastructure. For Sunderland AFC, the hub provides a new service for matchday visitors and local residents alike, while RAW Charging gains a high-visibility location with steady traffic. The Stadium of Light is a well-known landmark in the region, making the site a natural fit for drivers seeking reliable, high-power charging.

North-east England has been gradually expanding its charging network, but ultra-rapid options have lagged behind other parts of the UK. The new hub directly addresses that gap by offering speeds that can add significant range in a short stop. The 300 kW units are particularly notable, as they can take advantage of the latest EVs that support higher charging rates. Even the 150 kW bays represent a substantial upgrade over many older public chargers in the area.

For RAW Charging, the project adds to its portfolio of public charging sites across the UK. The company has been working to build out rapid and ultra-rapid infrastructure in locations where drivers need it most — near major roads, retail centres, and now sports stadiums. The Sunderland installation is one of the more visible examples of that strategy, and it could serve as a template for other clubs looking to monetise their car parks while supporting the EV transition.

Drivers in the region will be able to use the hub regardless of whether they are attending a match or simply passing through. The charging bays are open to the public, and their location just off major routes makes them convenient for longer journeys. As EV adoption continues to rise, projects like this one help build confidence that charging infrastructure is keeping pace — even outside the biggest cities.