TOUCHING BASE ON THE EV INDUSTRY

As the UK prepares for a net zero future, Rolec EV plays a pivotal role in ensuring that both EV drivers and businesses are equipped for the nation’s move towards decarbonisation. With over 15 years of experience in the electric vehicle charging industry and over 300,000 public and private chargepoints manufactured and installed, Rolec EV continues to serve the industry with its innovations in charging hardware and software.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more affordable and practical, and the UK government has set ambitious targets to phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030. With increasing interest from consumers and businesses, the future of the EV industry is looking bright.

This shift towards electric transportation is expected to have a significant impact on the electrical installation industry in the UK, as the demand for EV charging infrastructure increases, but how can you take advantage of this increased public interest as an installer, and what do you need to know that can help you provide the best experience for your customers?

Changes to regulations

It is not new to suggest that more needs to be done to tackle the current climate emergency. The push for rapid decarbonisation can be felt throughout the UK and expands even further into the world – something that many national leaders are tackling through legislative and regulatory changes.

One of the newest developments on the UK government’s road to net zero are the Part S Building Regulations. Making it a requirement for all new build commercial and residential properties to have access to an EV chargepoint –an ambitious plan that accompanies the government’s transition to fully electric vehicles by 2030. Alongside these regulations, the government has outlined certain expectations for new EV technology, to maintain a level of quality.

What do you need to look out for?

Along with the recognised standard features of a chargepoint (a minimum output of 7kW and a universal power socket) ‘Smart Chargepoint Regulations’ have also been introduced. Of these regulations, scheduled charging is one of the key things to look out for –introduced to reduce strain on the grid by encouraging users to charge during off-peak hours. Compliant units, such as the QUBEV Smart, manage this via an online app which also gives the user full control of their charger.

Furthermore, in line with the December updates to the Smart Chargepoint Regulations, electric vehicle chargepoints now have to have upgraded security measures – built-in tamper alerts being one of them.

EV charging in a cost-of-living crisis

Price is often the deciding factor between whether someone chooses to switch to an electric vehicle or not. It’ll be no surprise then that the number one best thing about the EV experience for personal lease drivers was low running costs. If we relate this cost back to EV charging, we can see people are opting for more affordable units that offer them cost-saving potential.

This is something that is not lost on the commercial side of the industry, where many have adopted public-facing EV charging as an additional revenue stream. Helped along by sophisticated chargepoint design, like Rolec EV’s BasicCharge and Quantum units, and back-office management systems like Monta, generating passive income from EV has seen an increase. Tariffs can be personalised for public or staff charging, and units can be reserved for staff members during peak hours.

Opportunities for revenue have only been amplified by the increased introduction of DC rapid chargers, at a time when electric car drivers have been showing increased interest in dedicated charging hubs with amenities like coffee shops and free Wi-Fi. These two factors combined have opened potential for massive infrastructure growth.

Making the decision to install a rapid charging unit is dependent also on the cost of the unit compared to site traffic – Rolec EVs modular and fully scalable design for the UltraCharge 160 makes it one of the most cost-effective DC units currently on the market, allowing businesses to upgrade the unit by increasing the number of power modules as and when their needs change.

Additionally, during the current cost-of-living crisis, solar panels have been crucial in empowering people to pursue energy independence. For this reason, solar compatible units like the WallPod, Zura and QUBEV Smart are gaining popularity. Familiarising yourself with this type of install would be of benefit as the market shifts towards green energy sources and people seek further independence from the grid.

Installation considerations

As the demand for EV charging infrastructure increases, it is essential that installation is made as simple and easy as possible. In the past, installing EV charging points was a complex and time-consuming process, requiring significant planning and coordination. However, more and more EV charging units have been designed with the installer in mind. As for Rolec EV’s Zura and QUBEV Smart, the company opted for a mounting bracket-based system.

This is also the exact reason that the company created the Rolec EV Connect app. Paired with the entire range of Rolec EV chargepoints, the Rolec EV Connect app has been designed as a mobile installation tool. Designed with installers in mind, the app enables seamless chargepoint configurations in just a few taps.

Convenience is the key word here. By incorporating PME fault detection technology, the installation process can be streamlined, the risk of faults can be reduced, and the overall reliability can be improved. In-built PME fault detection has been invaluable in achieving this, as it means the unit won’t need an earth rod to be installed, which means less hassle for the installer and less disruption to the customer.

Another consideration is the use of smart charging technology, which allows for remote monitoring and control of your chargepoint. This technology can be integrated with other smart devices, such as your phone, so that you can receive live updates and alerts. Smart Charging units, like the QUBEV Smart, also allow for dynamic load balancing, which monitors the property’s overall electrical usage and adjusts the power going to the EV charger accordingly, protecting the property’s main fuse.

Increased use of modular units that can be easily installed and expanded as demand for charging infrastructure grows. The UltraCharge 160, for example, is designed to be scalable and flexible, allowing for quick and easy installation in a range of locations.

Looking towards the future

Making EV charging available to everyone, although necessary, has its own unique challenges. Houses were not built with EV charging in mind and don’t always have a standardised energy supply. However, there are ways to manage this challenge. For instance, opting for a unit with an internal amp selector will give you the option to down-rate the charger to match the available supply. The QUBEV Smart, similar to Rolec EV’s complete range of AC chargepoints, offers this feature internally as well as through the Wi-Fi app. In terms of longevity, universal sockets tend to be the units of choice as tethered cables, however, although convenient, they may not be compatible with all electric vehicles on the market. This means users would potentially have to replace their charger if they got a new car or if a new person moved in with an incompatible connection. This, however, will become less relevant as older connections are phased out, as it is only certain models that still use the Type 1 connection. As long as you have confirmation of which BEV or PHEV will be used at the property, tethered may be the right choice for that site. It’s all about making an informed decision for your client based on the information you have.

Back-office management solution

When it comes to EV charging, it doesn’t just end with hardware. As mentioned earlier, the Rolec EV Connect app was created to specifically aid in the set-up of new chargepoints, giving you a step-by-step guide with easy to follow instructions. During the configuration, you will be prompted to input which back-office solution the customer has chosen for their chargepoint management, from a range of app suppliers with proven compatibility.

There are many back-office management solutions offering increased functionality to their users and these features can also be beneficial to contractors. By providing remote monitoring and management, for example, you can receive live updates if a unit experiences a fault.

Rolec EV’s back-office partner, Monta, provides real-time status and analytics which can be used to optimise the chargepoint, identify trends and patterns, and provide insight into user behaviour. This helps installers make data-driven decisions on how to improve infrastructure and meet the needs of their customers.

Installers also get access to Monta’s lead generator, which gives up-to-date information on chargepoint projects opening in your area and gives you the opportunity to bid for them. This allows you to expand your installation business internally, with the help of Monta – a trusted back-office system.

But what about once the job is done? Avoid late night call outs by offering your customers access to Monta’s 24/7 support network, which will manage customer queries and concerns, should something come up following your installation. This feature helps to manage chargepoint infrastructure more efficiently, resulting in improved customer satisfaction, increased revenue, and reduced maintenance costs.

Rolec EV, rolecserv.com