Hubsta Magazine - September 2021 Issue by elmtronics

S ep t 2 02 1 MAGAZINE

The all-electric magazine, brought to you by Elmtronics

Sara Sloman My EV passion

Top EVs 2021 Commercial Vans

real reviews We take the brand-new VN5 electric van from LEVC out on the job!

BARISTA & CO

Founder, James Gray, tells us why he made the switch to electric!

ACTION NET ZERO

How Bristol is gearing up to help the community leave fossil fuels behind

ELECTRIC INSIGHTS

We bring you charging guides and EV news from around the UK

Elmtronics, award-winning supplier and installer of smart electric vehicle charging equipment. Specialising in home, workplace, fleet and destination charging.

info@elmtronics.co.uk

www.elmtronics.co.uk

WELCOME

hello. What a whirlwind 2021 has been for the EV industry and it’s not expected to slow down. Over the past few months there have been several announcements from government, industry leaders and innovators, all of which directly impact the EV industry. The UK government released the Transport Decarbonisation plan in July which outlined commitments for the electric vehicle market and consumers. Earlier in the year, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders also published a report recording their intentions for supporting industry goals. It has also been a great year for commercial electric vehicles, with more automotive companies producing practical and dependable vehicles. We take a look at available alternatives to the standard ICE vehicles that could help with transitioning fleets to electric. We catch up with Sara Sloman, Head of Future Mobility Partnerships at Elmtronics and a rising star in the EV space. She shares with us how her passion for sustainability began and how it continues to grow. Inside is everything EV, from industry news, to reviews and opinion pieces; we hope you will find it both informative and entertaining. Enjoy reading, Anya & Chantel

MAGAZINE

CONTENTS

18 24

6 9 10

Sara Sloman Sara shares with us how she became an advocate for EVs

Hubsta - Supporting Fleets Find out how the Hubsta network can help your fleet Decarbonisation Plan Breakdown of the governments plans

12 14 16

Switching fleets to EV What are the benefits of investing in EVs for fleet? The AA Freewheeling Hub Learn how The AA is helping EV drivers Milk & More How Elmtronics is supporting their electric fleet

18 20 22

Top Commercial EVs Take a look a selection of commercial EVs available Real rEViews We take the LEVC VN5 for a test drive

Action Net Zero How Bristol is driving change in the community

CONTENTS Editor & Art Editor Chantel Gray Editor Anya Bramich With special thanks to our contributors: Andrew Coullson, James Gray, Sara Sloman, Clive Willcocks

16 6

24 26 29

Barista & Co James tells us why he’s switched to electric!

Electric Insights The latest EV news from around the UK

All rights reserved. Unauthorised reproduction in whole or in part (digital or print) is prohibited without the written permission of the publisher. This magazine is not to be sold. Every effort has been made to secure permission for copyright material. In the event of any material being used inadvertently, or where it proved impossible to trace the copyright owner, acknowledgement will be made in a future issue of the magazine. Curated images of all vehicles have been sourced from manufacturers own webistes. Stock imagery has been downloaded on liscence from envato.com. The publisher welcomes contributions from readers using the email address marketing@elmtronics.co.uk. All such contributions and submissions to the magazine are sent to and accepted by the publisher on the basis of a non-exclusive transferable worldwide license unless otherwise agreed in writing prior to first publication. Such submissions are also subject to being used, reproduced, modified, published, edited, translated, distributed and displayed in any media or medium, or any form, format or forum now known or hereafter developed, for any purpose, in perpetuity. The views expressed herein are not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. While every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, the publisher cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the information or any event or consequence arising as a result of the information. While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for any resulting unsatisfactory transactions but will investigate any written complaints.

Glossary Electric vehicles average charging times.

SARA SLOMAN

My passion for sustainable mobility Sara Sloman, Head of Future Mobility partnerships at Elmtronics, tells us how her passion for EVs and sustainable mobility developed over the years, and her hopes for the future of the EV industry and sustainable living.

SARA SLOMAN You’ve worked in sustainable transport for most of your career, tell us how it all started?

This helped us to install electric vehicle charging right across the region including four rapid charging hubs.

My passion came from childhood and has stayed with me ever since. My father was Head of Highways for a local authority and I would watch him at home pouring over technical engineering drawings. I was fascinated by his work and the designs that he and his team created which had a major impact on the way people travelled. Even back then he believed in creating transport ecosystems that incorporated sustainable transport routes. As a family, we would watch ‘Tomorrow’s World’ but never in my wildest dreams did I foresee electric vehicles in my future.

Over the years, I have watched momentum grow. We’re now seeing millions of pounds of capital funding being provided to local authorities and private businesses to support the decarbonisation of transport. It really feels that we are now in a position that the public are ready - they are listening and watching and are beginning to understand how EVs can work for them.

Throughout my education and career I have always been very focussed on understanding how we can live sustainably and thrive both socially and economically without harming the environment. Transport affects everyone and I am fascinated in the relationship between people’s choices and habits. At University I majored in Environmental Science and Physical geography and my dissertation was focussed on behaviour change which inspired me to develop a career in transport policy, frameworks and government practice. I now have over 15 years working with engineering teams and sustainable infrastructure projects in the public and private sector, and I am proud to be an advocate for all zero emission mobility measures including Electric Vehicles.

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Throughout my education and career I have always been very focussed on understanding how we can live sustainably and thrive both socially and economically without harming the environment.

What role do you think electric vehicles have in sustainable travel? EVs aren’t the whole picture but they certainly have a vital role to play in our transport hierarchy. Cities need to continue to make space for cyclists, trikes, e-bikes and e-scooters and public transport has to be seen as a realistic and reliable alternative. In turn this frees up road space for those who rely on the private vehicle and if those essential journeys are made using an EV then we are a step in unlocking the opportunities for cleaner air in our towns, cities and countryside. As individuals we need to be putting human health and happiness at the heart of every city, every home and every employer site. Tell us about your role at Elmtronics I joined the company this year as Head of Future Mobility Partnerships. My role enables me to exercise this desire to support clean air by joining industry professionals with us at Elmtronics, to partner together and deliver the best possible solutions for EV charging to the UK. Our partnership programme is beginning to gain pace and we are about to announce some exciting strategic relationships. It’s great to be able to join forces with people who are as passionate as we are about electric vehicles and their opportunities.

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When did you begin to get involved in electric vehicles? For me, it started in 2010 in Bristol when I was working on a Business Engagement project for the West of England. We had business grants for EV charge points and I began supporting the roll-out of EV charge points. My role was business engagement and back then businesses were really keen to be involved however it was as if the public themselves weren’t quite ready for electric.I always felt that you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink and that’s where we were with EV charging back then. That is why local authority involvement was so important. We had to start somewhere. Following on from that initial pilot, the region was then awarded £7m from the Go Ultra Low fund, part of what was then OLEV (Office for Low Emission Vehicles).

SARA SLOMAN

I am also working very closely on the development of our Hubsta, back-office software and the next stage of its development to incorporate carbon accounting and route optimisation which will support fleets to maximise their efficiency. What piece of advice would you give to any business who is thinking about transitioning their fleet? The answer is in the planning. To truly decarbonise and to grow an electric fleet, businesses will need to be strategic. Careful planning is needed to understand the mileage required, when and how charging will be needed and also to understand the investment required - not just for the vehicles themselves but the supporting charging infrastructure. I would say choosing a partner that you can trust and can help you grow is critical and I hope that Elmtronics provides that support.

You’re based in Elmtronics Bristol office, tell us a little bit about what’s happening in the city right now? I am extremely excited for the next few years to come in our industry and, with our office in Bristol, I feel we are well placed to be at the heart of a community that is driving towards decarbonisation. Bristol has always been forward facing, tackling transport head on by being the first to declare a Climate Emergency and listening to its public when implementing proposals for Clean Air Zones and increased walking and cycling access. It’s a city steeped in transport history, and we are still shaping it today. The Action Net Zero initiative (find out more on page 22) has just launched in the City and Elmtronics is a partner on the project, showing how EV charging can support the decarbonisation of transport. Sara Sloman is Head of Future Mobility Partnerships at Elmtronics. In 2018 she received the GreenFleet EV champion award and since 2019 she has been named on the GreenFleet ‘Most Influential’ list.

HUBSTA FOR FLEET

how hubsta can support your fleet Hubsta is an intelligent charging back office supplied by Elmtronics - a smart charging network that can support any electric fleet. Hubsta acts as a support network, enabling businesses to obtain data and usage, monitor user activity, allocate fleet usage and gain revenue. Monitoring Charge point owners can access and manage the chargers using the CPO portal. Hubsta enables the monitoring of charging sessions, data collection, energy consumption updates and real-time analysis of CO2 saved, supporting sustainability strategies. Revenue Owners can generate revenue with Hubsta by setting a tariff on charge points, helping to cover the cost of investment. Roaming With the roaming arrangement, Hubsta users can charge with several partnered charging networks, giving driver’s peace of mind when on the road. Communication Hubsta also allows charge point owners the benefits of an open charge point protocol communicating between the charge point hardware and the CPO portal. The

CPO can help pinpoint peak usage times and notify of any errors with your charge point. Employees Employees can use the Hubsta network through home charge points. Energy usage can be charged back to the business, keeping fleets charged and on the road. Mobile app Hubsta can also be accessed through the mobile app. The app enables simple charge point activation and management with a Hubsta fob.

Charge point owner features: » » » » » » » »

Monitor your EV equipment Monitor individual usage View charging station live status Generate revenue Monitor CO2 savings GDPR compliant Latest OCPP technology Network roaming capability

Learn more about the Hubsta smart charging network by visiting hubsta.co.uk or call 0800 954 0091

DECARBONISATION PLAN

Transport decarbonisation plaN In July, the Transport Secretary released the Transport Decarbonisation Plan. The plan outlined the government’s intentions for cleaner air, healthier communities and a plethora of new ‘green’ jobs.

DECARBONISATION PLAN Plans to cut carbon emissions from transport will aim to create a better quality of life by enabling cleaner, quieter cities and will support the UK’s transition towards a net zero society by 2050. Petrol and Diesel Vehicles Bold plans included ending the sale of all new petrol and diesel road vehicles, including HGV’s and buses, by 2040. The decarbonisation strategy will see the Department of Transport (DfT) phase-out vehicles weighing from 3.5 to 26 tonnes by 2035; for vehicles weighing more than 26 tonnes, the government will aim again for a target of 2040. Dan Martin, CEO, Elmtronics said, “This announcement has been long overdue and we welcome the commitment to the decarbonisation of all transport. However, we understand the effects this will have on many businesses and the concerns it may bring. We’re here to offer our guidance and support to help those looking to transition their fleets to electric and to ensure they fully understand what this announcement means for them and their business.”

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The Transport decarbonisation plan is just the start – we will need continued efforts and collaboration to deliver its ambitious commitments.

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Electric Vehicles The Transport Secretary also revealed that the government will commit to electrifying their entire fleet by 2027, three years earlier than originally planned. Legislation is also due to come in later this year to ensure that all new private EV charge points meet smart charging standards. This will aim to save consumers money on energy bills and charging their electric vehicles. A ‘delivery plan’ was also published alongside the decarbonisation plan, which saw all of the current measures around the decarbonisation of vehicles outlined by the government brought into one document. It included milestones, timelines, and revealed the progress that is being made towards committing to the encouragement of EV ownership. Walking, Cycling and Public Transport The government has previously pledged a £2bn commitment to boost walking and cycling across the UK, however, new plans also outlined how improvements to public transport and increased support for walking and cycling, will encourage them as people’s first choice for transport.

Following the release of the plan, the rail environment policy statement was announced. It outlined the direction for the rail industry on environmental issues such as traction decarbonisation, air quality, decarbonising the rail estate, biodiversity and waste. Aviation Included in the document were plans to meet net zero domestic aviation emissions by 2050; the Jet zero consultation will set out action plans for how the date will be achieved. Jobs To support the government’s plans, a new wave of highly skilled workers will be required. It’s believed the production of zero-emissions vehicles will create several thousand jobs alone. Recent announcements from companies such as Nissan and Stellantis will also see the need for hundreds of jobs to be created across the country. Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps said, “The Transport decarbonisation plan is just the start – we will need continued efforts and collaboration to deliver its ambitious commitments, which will ultimately create sustainable economic growth through healthier communities as we build back greener.”

ELECTRIFY YOUR FLEET

Thinking of electrifying your fleet? As the 2030 ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars approaches, and people become ever-more aware of the need to reduce carbon emissions, fleet managers are making the switch to electric vehicles (EVs). We spoke to Elmtronics’ Head of Future Mobility Partnerships, Sara Sloman, who says “There’s never been a better time to switch – grants are on offer, there’s a great range of vehicles on the market, and the equipment that’s available is exponentially better than it was just two or three years ago.” But where do you start? Here’s our quick guide to planning for a greener fleet. Make it a whole-business approach The decision to switch a fleet to EVs shouldn’t be taken by one team or staff member in isolation. From senior management through to the people who will be driving the new vehicles, it has to be a wholebusiness approach. “Colleagues need to understand the equipment and know why the business has made this decision. I want people to feel excited about this new technology because it’s a really positive step for decarbonisation,” says Sara. Introducing charging infrastructure impacts on so many aspects of the business that you may not have considered - from facilities and property management for the logistics of the installation; HR and finance especially if drivers are taking vehicles home and need to be reimbursed for charging through to marketing you’ll want to shout about your investment. Take stock of your existing fleet Don’t just think about replacing your fleet like-for-like - consider whether you can make changes which will reduce your emissions even further. As Sara says, “If we’re to really reduce carbon, we need to be more agile with how we allocate fleet vehicles. Think whether a vehicle that is currently a van could be replaced with a car. Could a car be replaced with an electric bike? It’s about getting vehicles off the road as well as replacing the ones that are left with EVs.” Plan the number and type of charge points Knowing the size of your existing fleet and your plans for your new fleet will give you a starting point for working out how many charge points you need - for

example, for 10 EVs, you could install five double sockets and use load balancing to share the power between vehicles. You should also think about the types of charge points. For vehicles that need to be charged and on the road quickly, you might choose rapid charging. But in the staff carpark, where people may be parked for eight to 10 hours, fast charge points might be better. There’s even the option of mobile chargers. Elmtronics has recently provided one of the UK’s first mobile rapid chargers to a customer and this unique solution gives huge flexibility in an environment like a workshop. Allocate a budget “Fleet electrification does come with the additional capital requirement for charging infrastructure so an early discussion with a charging partner will help you to understand how much budget to allocate,” says Sara. When planning your budget, don’t miss out on financial incentives currently on offer, like the Workplace Charging Scheme, which provides grants of up to £350 towards installation of charge points, and The Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme, which offers similar support for charge points at home. The Government has announced an extension to this scheme from 2022 so businesses including accommodation providers, SMEs and charities will soon be eligible. Consider if leasing vehicles will be better for you than buying outright, and you can even lease charge points so you don’t have to invest the full cost up front. And don’t forget that electricity can be a lot cheaper

ELECTRIFY YOUR FLEET

if you use a renewable tariff and charge vehicles overnight. Assess the power available To avoid the need for an expensive power grid upgrade, make use of load balancing (which distributes power amongst charge points and makes sure the capacity is never exceeded) and software like Hubsta to monitor usage. “We’ll always visit a customer’s site and look at the power available,” says Sara. “If there’s not enough power available, we can explore options like integrating battery storage, which tops up batteries with cheap energy overnight so you can draw down power during the day. There’s always a way!” Put a charging schedule in place Charging an electric fleet does require more planning than simply filling up with petrol or diesel. Consider putting in place a schedule or process for charging which is communicated to your drivers. Making sure that vehicles aren’t left uncharged will be critical as any downtime could disrupt your work schedule. Driver training is critical “Which brings us onto the importance of training. Drivers will be used to driving petrol or diesel so an educational piece will help to make sure that things run smoothly” says Sara. Think about putting in place some training for your drivers which covers both the vehicle

itself and also how to charge and when to make sure that your drivers can drive with confidence and get the most out of the vehicles. Consider at-home charging For staff that take vehicles home, it can make perfect sense for employers to put at-home charging in place. That way you can ensure the equipment is high quality and you can build in telematics, which collates power usage and allows for that to be billed to the employer. “This removes the pressure on individual staff to make sure they’re submitting accurate expenses, which can be difficult when it comes to electricity,” says Sara. Charging on-the-go What about drivers who travel long distances? Could they run out of charge en-route? “Think about whether they ever run out of petrol – it’s the same situation!” says Sara. By putting in place back-office software like Hubsta, which gives access to a network of charge points, your team can travel knowing they are already signed up to use charge points from our charging partners. “There are lots of incentives out there to support you, but these grants will come to an end, so make a plan and take that first step!” concludes Sara.

For support and advice on planning an EV fleet, visit Elmtronics.co.uk. 13

DECARBONISATION PLAN

The AA empowers EV drivers on the journey to 2030 As the UK progresses on the journey to 2030 and the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, the AA is boosting the confidence of drivers with its Electric Vehicle (EV) Support Service. As part of its commitment to empowering drivers the AA has jointly commissioned the fifth annual Operational Fleet Report with Rivus Fleet Solutions. The latest report revealed that positivity towards EVs is at an all-time high among operational fleets, with 84% of fleet operators believing the range from manufacturers has improved and two thirds believing that EVs have better whole life costs than diesel or petrol.

The report also showed that now there’s much greater awareness, EVs appear to be increasingly on fleet managers’ day-to-day radars, with 78% believing that the number of electric vans on the road have increased in the last year, up significantly from 65% last year. To support EV drivers and fleets, alongside its in-depth research, the AA has launched a number of initiatives which will directly support drivers as they transition to electric over the next few years.

DECARBONISATION PLAN EV Charge Point Support The AA works with five major charge point providers to offer drivers help when they need it, this includes industry-first technical support with the charge point and extends to their vehicle. Earlier this year, the AA partnered with a leading charge point provider, to offer its EV drivers’ industryleading support on a 24/7 basis. The AA provides call centre support for drivers using its network of over 600 electric vehicle chargers nationwide - all at popular locations with on-site amenities including McDonald’s, KFC and Starbucks - via a dedicated phone number. The AA customer service team is able to resolve common charging queries; direct customers to InstaVolt charging stations and help with account or payment queries, helping drivers to get back on their journey. EV Insurance The switch to EV is about more than charging and infrastructure concerns. Indeed, recent research we’ve conducted shows that 69% of drivers are concerned about cover for their EV should it be damaged when connected to a public chargepoint,

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We have a deep and continued commitment to ensuring the availability of both the expertise and technology to meet the needs of fleets and drivers throughout their journey to electric

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while almost half (44%) are concerned about liability should someone trip over the charging cable. In response, AA Insurance has launched a special product for EV drivers, EV Insurance, which provides cover for the top five insurance concerns raised by drivers, protecting cars against damage, fire and theft when plugged in to both a public and home charging point, giving customers complete assurance that their EV is comprehensively covered. Freewheeling Hub The Freewheeling Hub is a market-leading innovation which has already transformed the AA’s breakdown service for thousands of its customers. Now successfully rolled out across its entire fleet of Patrol vehicles, the Freewheeling Hub is a game-changing way for all AA Patrols to safely tow vehicles, which normally cannot be ‘lifted’ and towed on two wheels – such as EVs and 4x4s. The rollout has involved over 400 team training sessions, as well as the production of more than 2,000 Freewheeling Hub toolkits.

Dean Hedger, EV New Business Development Manager, commented: “We have a deep and continued commitment to ensuring the availability of both the expertise and technology to meet the needs of fleets and drivers throughout their journey to electric. With more drivers adopting EVs, it’s important that we deliver a service that ensures excellent driver experience, for new users and evangelists alike. “The AA EV Support Service builds on our existing capability across the business, including having the largest group of EV Level 2 trained technicians in the UK. One third of the AA Prestige garage network is already EV capable, most of our company cars are already EVs or plug-in hybrids, and AA Drivetech provides specific EV driver training.” As part of the EV Support offer, the AA is simplifying the journey to EV drivers. The AA supports both established and new EV drivers to understand the technology so they can make the most of their EV and enjoy the drive. The AA’s EV Support Service ensures that drivers are supported at every mile of their journey.

Click here to download your copy of the Operational Fleet Insight Report 15

CASE STUDY

case study

Supporting Milk & More since 2018 with their modern electric fleet Milk & More is the UK’s biggest online doorstep milk delivery firm offering over 200 products to their customers. The company has a mission to deliver a positive impact on local communities and the environment. With a history in leading the way in electric transportation, with electric milk floats on the road since 1950, the company took a step forward in 2018 as they took delivery of a new fleet of LDV V80 vans. Elmtronics was on hand to offer support for their initial charging needs and, as their electric fleet grows throughout the country, we continue to work with the team. The company now has a 50% electrified fleet with 550 EVs.

CASE STUDY As the LDV vans were new to market at that time, we undertook an assessment of their charging specifications and worked closely with Milk & More to survey their depots to find the right solution for the team. Due to the nature of the business, with vehicles back at base from 8am to 11pm, it was identified that 7kW charge points would be the most appropriate solution for their needs. This provides the company with sufficient time to ensure that the vehicles would be fully charged for the next day but without placing too much pressure on the electrical capacity of the depots. Wall mounted, dual charge points were provided and each vehicle was allocated a specific charge point, RFID card and parking bay to make it easier to keep track of each vehicle and its charging.

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...as our fleet continues to grow, Elmtronics have been an important part of our journey.

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The company was attracted to the ease of use of the charge points, with the RFID card making it simple for the drivers to plug-in after their night shift. All charge points are connected to Hubsta which allows the team to identify any issues and act quickly to ensure there is no disruption to the day’s rounds.

The Brief Milk & More’s traditional fleet of electric milk floats, which were powered by lead acid batteries, required a very different charging system to the modern infrastructure on offer today. As the company moved towards their new fleet, the team needed to invest in a charge point roll-out programme. After reviewing the market and a recommendation from the LDV dealership, Milk & More partnered with Elmtronics to help to scope out the most suitable charging product for the new vans which would help to ensure that they were always fully charged for the next day’s deliveries. Starting with their bases in Greater London, the company is now on phase three of their charge point roll-out programme all supported by Elmtronics. The Solution The initial phase of the project back in 2018 began with a thorough scoping exercise to help us to understand both the charging requirements of the vehicles and the logistics of Milk & More’s operations.

“Elmtronics has been a partner of ours from the very beginning. They had a clear understanding of the direction of our fleet strategy and provided us with invaluable information to get us started as we moved to our new fleet. From providing charging for our very first vehicles in 2018 through to supporting us with additional infrastructure as our fleet continues to grow, Elmtronics have been an important part of our journey.” said Gary Evans, Senior Regional Fleet Manager at Milk & More. The first phase of the roll-out began in Greater London with 40 charge points installed at the Milk & More Fulfilment Centre in Camberley and then an additional four centres in the area. Since then, Elmtronics has supported two additional roll-outs of 47 charge points in Oxford, Southampton, Bristol and Birmingham. In total the company has installed over 200 charge points across multiple locations. Elmtronics also supported the company to take advantage of the OZEV workplace grants helping to reduce the overall costs of such a large scale roll-out programme. “Milk & More are real pioneers in the EV world and as they moved into new vehicle technology, we were delighted to support them with their charging needs. Having a reliable network of charge points which will ensure that their vehicles are fully charged for the day’s round is business critical and our solutions continue to work perfectly for them.”

EV’S OF 2021

2021 commercial ev’s

our top picks

If you’re a business owner or work in a trade that requires a van to do the job, you may be wondering what’s available for when you eventually make the switch. Here are a few commercial vehicles that we think will do just the job!

NISSAN E-NV200 With its updated battery (40kWh), the e-NV200 boasts a new range of up to 187 miles. Plugged into a rapid charger, this van can reach 80% charge in just 60 minutes. The cost-effective and efficient van is an incredibly capable alternative to your typical ICE van. With a cargo capacity of up to 4.2km, it’s ideal for a small delivery business looking to transition their fleet. Utilising 60\40 split rear doors will also allow for maximum use of its 1.50m wall to wall width (1.22 between wheel arches). With a sliding door each side and standup room of 1.36m, making loading/unloading cargo relatively easy, these features combine to make this a great option for anyone in the market for a clean driving vehicle.

MERCEDES-BENZ EVITO The eVito panel van is the perfect answer to a mid-size electric van. With a loading volume of 6m3 it’s an ideal choice for a tradesman. The eVito will take around 6 hours to reach a full charge using an AC fast charger and has an average combined range of 92 miles. It features both side-sliding doors and rear end double doors for practical entry. Unexpected maintenance issues can prove costly to a company both financially and in terms of reputation where customer satisfaction is concerned. With real-time vehicle status updates as a standard feature (including alerts and reports on parts, fluids and general maintenance requirements) you can avoid being caught out by unexpected repairs or part replacements.

EV’S OF 2021

VW e-TRANSPORTER As robust as a regular Transporter, this van offers clean, zero-emission travel. Suitable for urban driving, the 100% electric panel van has a range of 82 and can charge from 0-80% in 45 minutes using a DC charge point. With a payload of up to 996kg and loading volume of 6.7m3, this would be a better vehicle for a courier service operating in built-up town centre environments than it would be for tradesman or delivery drivers taking on longer journeys. The upgraded Front Assist and City Emergency Braking will certainly come in helpful in a more busy, urban locale.

FIAT E-DUCATO Building on the strengths of the original Fiat Ducato, the E-Ducato was developed to offer a cleaner, more environmentallyfriendly alternative. The E-Ducato can offer up to 223 miles depending on the model and up to 17m3 cargo space. Although the top speed may be restricted to 62mph (56mph for the heavier variants) this will help to combat range anxiety and ultimately provide a smoother driving experience. Whether you’re distributing post and parcels or consumer goods, this van provides range, size and reliability.

VAUXHALL VIVARO-E The zero emissions Vivaro-e is durable and dependable, ideally suited for commercial professionals. With helpful features such as automatic side-opening doors and the ability to tow trailers, this van is versatile and practical. The 50kWh battery takes just 30 minutes to charge to 80% and using the regenerative braking feature, you can save charge and money. With a cost per mile of 2.1p versus the 10.3p per mile of the regular Vivaro, you can comfortably cut £100 per month off your fuel bill, based on an average daily mileage of 40 miles. That’s approx £1,197 annually, a saving that can be passed directly to your customers.

OUR PICK

REAL REVIEWS

Review

levc vn5 Elmtronics Electrician and Estimator, Greame took the electric van from LEVC out on the road to test if it would be up for the job!

REAL REVIEWS

here are a growing number of great electric vans on offer and making the right choice for our future fleet electrification won’t be an easy one. We snapped up the opportunity to take the VN5 with us on the job; Graeme in our Operations team took the new electric van from LEVC out on the road for a test drive. If you could only see the VN5 from the front, you’d be forgiven for mistaking it for a London cab. The electric van poses all the elegance of an LEVC taxi combined with a robust ‘white van’. Running solely on electricity, the electric vehicle also has a 1.5ltr generator on board should it be required to pump some juice into the battery. With a sliding door on the side and double opening doors to the rear, the VN5 has been built for practicality.

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It was nice to drive and smooth when navigating bumpy roads. I didn’t feel anxious at any point about recharging or reaching our destination.

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Leaving with a full battery, Graeme’s first trip saw him drive from our HQ in County Durham, to Worcester, with stops in both Stroud and Evesham; a round trip of 600 miles.

Using one of our 22kW, dual-socket Eve chargers, the second charge was simply a top-up. The power was split between the VN5 and another electric vehicle that was already charging. Taking in 11kW of power the charge took around 2 hours, gaining an extra 33 miles on the battery.

With 30 miles left on the battery and half a tank on the generator, the first on-the-go charge was at Woodall services, 129 miles from home. The job required an overnight stay and before hitting the road for the long haul, Graeme charged up at Gloucestershire and then again while on site with a customer.

That was plenty to get back to HQ and when asked about how he felt driving it Graeme said, “I found it very comfortable on the road, it was nice to drive and smooth when navigating bumpy roads. I didn’t feel anxious at any point about recharging or reaching our destination.” The VN5 is definitely fit-for-purpose and deceivingly big. Ideal for use as an electrical maintenance van, rather than an installation van there was plenty of room in the back for tools and service equipment. It may not be suitable for every trade, but for a small business carrying out local jobs, it gets a thumbs up. Graeme added, “I found the look very striking, as did passers-by and other road users; many people correctly identified its taxi heritage. The interior felt like a step up from the usual van offering, and the van itself was much bigger than I realised, but still easy to manoeuvre.” As part of our commitment to net zero, we aim to transition our full fleet of service vehicles to electric by March 2022.

If you need support or guidance with transitioning your fleet to electric, call Elmtronics on 0191 417 3719. 21

ACTION NET ZERO

what’s happening in bristol?

action net zero What’s happening in Bristol? Find out how the city is gearing up to help the community to ditch fossil fuels.

ACTION NET ZERO

As Bristol prepares for the introduction of a Clean Air Zone in the city centre in 2022, a collective of pioneers in climate change solutions have come together to rally the community to help make the city’s transport cleaner and greener. Bristol has always been a leader in environment and climate action and a new campaign, Action Net Zero, is set to create a blueprint for other cities to follow. Launched this July, Action Net Zero is the first initiative of its kind to bring together a range of partners all dedicated to helping Bristolians make greener choices when it comes to moving around the city, region and the UK.

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What’s unique about this project is that it’s about creating a blueprint for other cities to follow.

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The community platform, www.actionnetzero.org, is a one stop shop providing a whole range of tools, incentives and advice to help residents and businesses to plan how and when to switch to greener transport. Backed by a social media and local media campaign, the initiative is aimed to build awareness of the climate emergency and inspire people to act. Pamela Barbato, the founder of Action Net Zero Bristol, explains: “We are also asking businesses and residents to join the evolution and help Bristol drive change. They can sign up to become ‘Transformers’ where they

will be supported to make better transport choices and share their stories to inspire others. “It could be as simple as joining a work cycle scheme, saving money by switching to 100% renewable energy or comparing electric car chargers, or seeking advice on how and when your business should switch to an electric fleet. Collectively we can help everyone on their net zero journey. “What’s unique about this project is that it’s about creating a blueprint for understanding principles for success on how we can accelerate change in Bristol that can be used in other towns and cities,’ Partners include Good Energy, the 100% renewable energy provider; Co Charger, a neighbourhood EV charging scheme; Rightcharge, an EV-friendly energy tariff and charge point comparison site; ALD Automotive, a fleet solutions company; and Edwards, a world leader in clean air management solutions. As a supporter of the campaign Elmtronics is providing information and myth busting around electric vehicles and charging. Dan Martin, CEO of Elmtronics, said: “Action towards tackling climate change has to be taken at a local level which is why programmes such as Action Net Zero are critical. As a collective, we hope that we are able to provide information on a whole host of areas which will help residents of Bristol to take steps to reduce their carbon footprint and get the public involved in exploring their options to move away from internal combustion engine vehicles.” The campaign runs in the city until November 2021. For more information: www.actionnetzero.org/

BARISTA & CO

Barista & Co add first electric vehicle to fleet Barista & Co Coffee recently decided to add an electric vehicle to their business. We spoke to Founder, James Gray, about why it was important to him to make the switch and why he chose Elmtronics to install their home charging station. 24

BARISTA & CO

arista & Co is a family-run business; coffee connoisseurs who believe in creating great coffee, through honest, ethical, and sustainable means. Working closely with their farmers and factories, they support positive change in their communities. As part of their business sustainability plan, James and the team do a lot of work to ensure that their practices have a positive impact. The decision to introduce an electric vehicle was important to tie in with these values. “There are things we already do as a business to protect our planet. The factories and materials we choose to manufacture with are big decisions, and it’s obvious that they will have a positive impact. As a business we also try to pay attention to the smaller things and commuting and how we deliver our products are part of that. That’s why we made the decision to introduce an electric car; to test the water and see if it is viable for us to move to an electric fleet.” Their EV of choice? The Polestar. Although the car is mostly used for business, James, and his partner Louise (Co-Founder) also require the vehicle for personal use and opted for a home charger. The landowners where the head office is based, are already looking into offering EV charging infrastructure. James expressed that this essentially made up their minds when deciding whether to choose a home charger.

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Elmtronics offered simplicity and I’m a big fan of simplicity. The allin-one process was effortless.

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Due to the nature of the business, there is a lot of travel back and forth between Dorset and larger cities. When speaking about the current charging infrastructure that’s available, James said, “For a long time the lack of infrastructure made us nervous about switching to an EV. We’ve found now that the journeys into bigger cities like London, are actually quite easy and charge point availability isn’t such a concern,” James continued, “the main worry for us is the lack of infrastructure in our local area, which is why the home charger is great for us.” Plugging into the home charger overnight enables them to travel in and out of London on one full charge.

James chose Elmtronics to install their home charge point and found the whole process “incredibly easy”. “Elmtronics offered simplicity and I’m a big fan of simplicity. The all-in-one process was effortless; that was a great relief for me as all I wanted was a charger at my home that functioned as it’s supposed to.” On the day, the engineer found that the installation would require a non-standard install as the electricity meter was more than 20 metres away from where the charge point would be fixed. James said, “Our installation actually turned out to be quite complex as it was a non-standard install, but the engineer was amazing and found a solution right away for us.” James considers himself to be “tech savvy” but admitted that he thinks sometimes public charging can be confusing, however, he loves the home charge app, finding it easy to use and understand. Concluding, James said, “The whole onboarding process was incredibly smooth, the app is great, and the truth is, I had to do very little which was a huge benefit! I would definitely recommend Elmtronics and will return to them if the need for chargers at our business location arises in the future” The hope is that eventually the whole Barista & Co fleet of vehicles will be fully electric, and James says he would encourage all his staff to consider making the switch to electric.

If you would like to discuss home or workplace charging, call Elmtronics on 0191 417 3719.

MARKET & CHARGER GUIDE

Electric insights Breaking down the latest market statistics, bringing our readers the essential news and updates surrounding the EV industry and sustainable mobility. BLUEPRINT FOR EV REVOLUTION Earlier this year a report by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders shared the automotive industry’s commitment to delivering on the UK’s triple bottom line - prosperity, people and planet. The outlined commitments by the SMMT: » Accelerate the demand for electric vehicles and ensure electric vehicle availability » Expand and improve world-class infrastructure » Create the right conditions to deliver the most ambitious industrial transformation in automotive history EV PRODUCTION HITS RECORD HIGH July statistics from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that 26% of all cars produced in July were either battery electric, plug-in hybrid or hybrid. This is the highest share on record for alternatively fuelled vehicles. UK charge point network continues to grow Independently produced statistics from Zap Map reveal there are now over 25,000 public charging devices across the UK – a major milestone, which means that electric vehicle drivers are never more than 25 miles from a chargepoint on UK roads. GOVERNMENT DELIVERY PLAN ANNOUNCED In July, the Government released their ‘Transitioning to zero emission cars and vans: 2035 delivery plan’. The document sets out the investment and policy initiatives to help meet phase out dates for petrol and diesel cars alongside a range of significant milestones along the way.

IPCC REPORT In August the IPCC report on climate change was published. Many truths were revealed in the report including the fact that climate change is now affecting every inhabited region across the globe. We must be a net zero society by 2050, and in order to reach this we need to halt and reverse our emissions output. One key aspect is CO2 emissions produced from automotives. The uptake of electric vehicles has increased rapidly over the past few years and while switching to EVs won’t resolve the climate crisis alone, it could help dramatically reduce emissions. NISSAN UNVEILS A £1BN ELECTRIC VEHICLE HUB Nissan unveils Nissan EV36Zero, a £1 billion flagship Electric Vehicle (EV) Hub creating a world-first EV manufacturing ecosystem. The transformational project comprises three interconnected initiatives, bringing together electric vehicles, renewable energy and battery production to set a blueprint for the future of the automotive industry. The hub will see investment into the production of a new-generation EV, a gigafactory by Envision AESC and a project by Sunderland Council to deliver a 100% renewable electricity ‘Microgrid’ that will save 55,000 tonnes of carbon annually.

Government has set a clear goal to end the sale of new pure petrol and diesel cars and vans in 2030. Delivering that goal requires the commitment of four parties – the industry itself, government, wider stakeholders, and of course, the consumer. - Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive

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Milestones include initiatives such as a local EV infrastructure fund to be launched next year; an EV Homecharge Scheme which will focus on renters, leaseholders and those living in flats, the workplace charging scheme to be opened up to charities and SMEs and an on-street residential scheme opened for larger projects. Favorable company car tax rates for zero emission cars will also be in place until at least March 2025

MARKET & CHARGER GUIDE WORK BEGINS ON THE UK’S FIRST GIGAFACTORY Work is set to begin on the UK’s first gigafactory in Northumberland, North East England. Battery manufacturer, Britishvolt, will officially begin work on the £2.6 billion project in October. The new factory will create 3,000 jobs for the region as well as provide a significant boost to the surrounding supply chain. The plant is due to open by the end of 2023 and has the capacity to produce 300,000 lithium-ion battery packs each year by 2027. COP26 IN GLASGOW The UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow this November. The climate talks will bring together heads of state, climate experts and campaigners to agree coordinated action to tackle climate change. Government announces new iconic charge point design The Government has announced a new British electric vehicle charge point design is to be revealed at COP26. The new design is to be created by the Royal College of Art and PA Consulting and is said to be linked to iconic British designs such as the red post box or the black cab.

STAN PAPIOR

September 2021

July 2021

44,114 592,707 UK charge points*

Plug-in vehicles**

FAST CHARGING (AC)

RAPID CHARGING (DC)

Type 1

Type 2

CCS

5-pin plug - uncommon, but can still be found on some EVs. Most manufacturers are shifting to Type 2.

7-pin plug - most common. It’s believed this will be the standard plug for EVs.

Combined Charging System. Less common than Type 2 but not rare.

*Individual connectors - statistics from zap-map.com **Statistics from SMMT

CHA-de-MO

This is the most common rapid charging plug (in the UK).

MARKET & CHARGER GUIDE

ev charging times A useful glossary of electric vehicles and their estimated charging times.

Make & Model

Max. Charge Limit (kW)

Battery Size (kWh)

2.3

175

350

Fiat 500e

7:18

2:24

1:31

0:42

0:20

Nissan e-NV200

11:33

3:48

2:25

1:06

0:34

VW ID.3 (Pure)

13:41

4:30

2:51

1:18

0:37

Tesla Model 3 SR+

160

15:31

5:00

3:10

1:27

0:42

0:28

0:13

Porsche Taycan

262

25:33

8:24

5:20

2:27

1:10

0:47

0:20

0:13

Mercedes EQV 300

110

27:23

9:00

5:43

2:37

1:15

0:50

0:34

Time taken to charge 10-80% (kW)

CHARGING POWER TERMINOLOGY AC

7kW

SLOW

25kW

FAST

100kW

RAPID

Need support? Here are some useful numbers for your EV needs!

350+kW

ULTRA RAPID

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