Electrification and the growing opportunity for installers

With 215,000 pure-electric vehicles and 455,000 plug-in hybrids now registered on UK roads, Jordan Brompton, co-founder of myenergi, discusses the national transition to electrification and explores the long-term opportunity it provides for electrical installers.

Following a lengthy consultation, the government has confirmed that no new petrol and diesel cars will be sold in the UK after 2030. Hybrid vehicles will be given a grace period until 2035, following which only pure-electric models will be available to purchase from new through dealer forecourts.

While the cut-off date may seem like a lifetime away, the transition is happening faster than ever predicted. Indeed, according to insight from The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), one in 10 new cars is already now an EV. Furthermore, with numerous OEMs canning the development of combustion engines and imposing their own deadlines of range electrification, this impressive pace will only accelerate.

But what do these statistics mean for electrical installers and how can they benefit from the UK’s transition away from fossil fuels? The answer, of course, lies in vehicle charging technology.

For most installers, EV charge point installation has never amounted to a vast percentage of the order book. While early adopters needed a solution to recharge their daily run-around, charge points sat in the same domain as other ancillary options (such as alarm systems, CCTV and security technology) – an area an electrical installer might delve into from time to time, though not the main source of their workload.

However, as more and more households ditch the diesel for an energy efficient alternative, charge points are quickly becoming a must-have essential for every property. After all, the national roll-out of fast-charge forecourts is far slower than the adoption of EVs.

So, with 32 million drivers quickly switching from combustion engines to EV, charge points are becoming a staple. Strict regulation guiding the fitting of charging equipment and the necessity to commission the installation mean that DIY simply isn’t an option – the open goal opportunity is here to stay.

Three key points are therefore important to consider. Firstly, is your business correctly positioned to take advantage of the opportunity? Secondly, do you and your team have the necessary training? Thirdly, are you properly acquainted with the marketplace and do you understand the EV charge point options available?

myenergi is renowned for designing the world’s first solar compatible EV charger – zappi. Alongside operating as standard for electric car charging, it has optional charging modes to utilise 100% green energy generated from solar PV panels. With a whole host of carefully designed features to give customers complete control of their charging experience, it can be paired with the myenergi app to utilise economy tariffs, deploy the boost function and provide insightful monitoring data.

The clever unit is also installer friendly. In fact, myenergi says that the zappi is one of the easiest devices on the market to install, with wireless connectivity meaning fishing long CT cables can become a thing of the past. zappi also offers PEN fault protection and therefore doesn’t require an earth rod, which means no digging up driveways, better aesthetics and quicker installations all round!

So, with the EV industry quickly moving past the early adoption stage, mass market consumers are waiting in the wings. With more than 30 million drivers set to make the EV switch, the opportunity is significant and will quickly become a key percentage of daily workload. Electrification is coming – are you ready?

MYENERGI ONLINE PLATFORM

Earlier this year, myenergi launched an online platform to seamlessly connect customers of its zappi EV charge point with certified installers across the UK. Developed in partnership with EV Comply, the step-by-step solution takes the customer through the OZEV grants application process and connects them to their closest myenergi-approved independent.

The platform aims to champion the independent and build a tight-knit family of approved installers to support the UK’s transition to electrification. The new platform further streamlines the purchase process and provides busy installers with hassle-free sales leads. What’s more, as it takes customers through the OZEV grants process, there are fewer questions to answer and significantly less paperwork.

In time, myenergi will add a whole host of added-value features to the platform, including a generous rewards scheme for certified installers.

Charge points are quickly becoming a must-have essential for every property

Myenergi, myenergi.com

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