A new Superfast charging site has come to Sandwich in time for The Open.

Fastned UK has opened a new high-power electric vehicle charging hub off Spitfire Way ready for the international golfing championships from July 11 to 18.

It is the furthest east in the country that the company has set up a centre.

Starting with three chargers, Fastned will add another five ultra-rapid ones as demand grows.

Fastned’s investment at Sandwich comes as Dover District Council completes installation of 49 electric vehicle charging points at 18 locations, including its car parks and on-street in Dover, Deal and Sandwich.

The chargers at Sandwich can add almost 200 miles of range to an electric vehicle battery in just 20 minutes.

For 39p/kWh, drivers can charge without any subscription or prior membership and pay with a range of methods such as the special Fastned App, or cards from more than 25 providers.

Payment terminals enabling credit/debit card and device payment will be installed later this year.

When new drivers register via the Fastned app, Fastned’s Autocharge technology recognises their vehicles, meaning they then never need to use their phone or wallet to start a refuelling session again.

Cllr Nick Kenton, council cabinet member for transport, said: “ Alongside our own charging points in DDC car parks and on-street, we’re seeing a real push to make it easier for people to make the switch to electric vehicles.”

Tom Hurst, from Fastned, said: "We're proud to be operating the easternmost high-power chargers in the United Kingdom at Sandwich, and to be able to offer this freedom to locals and visitors to Dover District Council alike."

The hub opening at Sandwich is with developers Maritime Capital, investors in the area's Discovery Park.

The Government plans to ban the sale of new cars fuelled purely by petrol or diesel by 2030.

DDC’s new Local Plan proposes that all new homes with parking provision on their land should include cabling to enable installation of a 7kW 32amp electric vehicle charging point.

The Local Plan proposes that all other types of residential, commercial, industrial and retail development, should provide one electric car charging point for every 10 parking spaces provided.

Read more: All the latest news from Sandwich