to improve and extend the network. From 11 July 2016 Ecotricity started charging £5 for a 20-minute fast-charge, later changed to £6 for 30 minutes but kept it free for customers of Ecotricity. Following feedback from customers, a balance between the needs of EV drivers and PHEV drivers has led to a £3 connection fee, waived for Ecotricity customers, and 17p per KWh. In 2018 the Ecotricity EV tariff on its motorway network was 30p/KWh for non-Ecotricity customers and half this for customers using the Rapid charger network. The access is via a mobile phone app. To help with using this most of the network 'pumps' are being fitted with short range, restricted, WiFi to enable connection in poor mobile signal areas. By the start of 2019 Ecotricity was providing over 300 charging points. In early 2021, Ecotricity and GRIDSERVE announced a new partnership to power the Electric Highway. The new major collaboration is leading transformation with two elements – already underway. Firstly, all existing chargers will be replaced with new technology, doubling the capacity – offering all three connection types (CCS, CHAdeMO, and AC) and contactless payment. Secondly – a further 6 to 12 pumps of the all-new 350 kW high power standard will be installed. Funding for the program is being provided by Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC, also a shareholder in GRIDSERVE. In mid 2021, It was announced that GRIDSERVE had purchased the remaining stake from Ecotricity, taking full ownership of the Electric Highway. Their first element of the modernisation plans for the charging network are continuing as planned with the intention of all Electric Highway sites having their phase 1 charger replacements complete by the end of summer 2021. GRIDSERVE's other charging network, the Electric Forecourt scheme also continues to be rolled out separately, according to original plans. Distributed energy storage Ecotricity has investigated supplying 100 houses with an internet-connected grid energy storage system that will take the homes off the grid at peak times. Mobile phone network Ecotricity launched a mobile virtual network called Ecotalk in 2018; plans had been discussed by Vince in 2013. Money from customer's bills is used to buy land for nature conservation, in part through a partnership with the RSPB. Small turbine manufacture In May 2014, Ecotricity rescued Evance, a manufacturer of small (5 kW) wind turbines, from administration, saving the company's 29 jobs. Branded "Brit Wind" in January 2017 they