The Moto service area at Exeter has been transformed into one of the country’s largest electric‑vehicle charging locations, following the opening of a new Moto CHARGE hub at Junction 30. The expansion brings the site’s total number of ultra‑rapid passenger EV bays to 100, reinforcing Exeter’s role as a major refuelling stop on the M5.
What has changed at Junction 30
The recent development at the Moto Exeter site adds 24 Moto CHARGE ultra‑rapid bays to the existing provision. These join the site’s earlier installations of 32 Tesla charging bays and 44 GRIDSERVE high‑power chargers, creating a concentrated cluster intended to meet heavy seasonal and commuter demand.
- New Moto CHARGE bays: 24
- Existing Tesla bays: 32
- Existing GRIDSERVE high‑power bays: 44
- Total ultra‑rapid passenger EV bays on site: 100
Charging speeds, accessibility and payments
Moto says its ultra‑rapid chargers can deliver up to 400kW, a speed that it claims enables the latest EV models to regain up to 100 miles of range in less than 10 minutes. The site also includes fully accessible bays and multiple payment options to simplify use for a wide range of motorists.
“Our vision is to transform the UK’s rest stop experience … The creation of our new Mega Hub at Exeter with 24 Moto CHARGE ultra‑rapid EV charging bays is an absolutely huge milestone,”
The quotation above is from Ken McMeikan, Moto Hospitality’s chief executive, who framed the project as part of a broader strategy to adapt motorway services to the national shift towards electric transport.
Local and regional implications
For drivers in and around Exeter, the enlarged charging hub promises greater confidence when planning longer journeys on the M5, particularly during busy holiday periods when chargers at popular service areas can be occupied. It also signals further private investment in the city’s transport infrastructure: Moto has outlined plans to deploy more than £500 million across its estate and to expand its nationwide charging capacity to over 4,000 bays.
| Feature | Figure |
|---|---|
| New Moto CHARGE bays at Exeter | 24 |
| Existing Tesla bays | 32 |
| Existing GRIDSERVE bays | 44 |
| Total ultra‑rapid passenger bays | 100 |
Operators and local authorities have been urging private providers to scale up high‑power charging on strategic routes; the Moto Exeter Mega Hub represents a substantial single‑site increase in capacity. For Exeter residents, the development will be most noticeable at peak travel times and for anyone relying on high‑speed top‑ups during longer journeys.
As the transition to electric vehicles continues, the concentration of charging infrastructure at Junction 30 is likely to influence driver behaviour, roadside service demand and the commercial mix at the motorway interchange. The site’s mix of different operators also underlines the growing role of service stations as multi‑operator energy hubs rather than simply fuel stops.
