EVolution Magazine Issue 4 by Landor LINKS

EVolution#4_June_2022.qxp_PR361_p23-33 08/06/2022 19:19 Page 1

www.EVolutionMagazine.co.uk

Issue: June 2022

We’ve got this covered Introducing the pop-up solar port The number of EVs on the UK’s roads keeps growing

Volkswagen offers transparent costs across EV networks

SMMT calls for plan to boost sales of electric vans

Parking companies work with EV and payment firms

Powering the transition to electric and hydrogen road transport

EVolution#4_June_2022.qxp_PR361_p23-33 08/06/2022 19:19 Page 2

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WELCOME

www.EVolutionMagazine.co.uk

Issue: June 2022

We’ve got this covered Introducing the pop-up solar port The number of EVs on the UK’s roads keeps growing

Volkswagen offers transparent costs across EV networks

SMMT calls for plan to boost sales of electric vans

Parking companies work with EV and payment firms

Powering the transition to electric and hydrogen road transport

@EVolutionAlerts EVolutionMagazine.co.uk Editorial Managing editor: Mark Moran Tel: 020 7091 7871 mark.moran@landor.co.uk Production and design production@landor.co.uk Advertising, sponsorship, marketing and exhibition packages Jason Conboy Tel: 020 7091 7895 jason@landor.co.uk Subscriptions Christina Pierre Tel: 020 7091 7959 subs@landor.co.uk Accounts Irina Cocks Tel: 020 7091 7854 irina.cocks@landor.co.uk Business manager Rod Fletcher Tel: 0191 280 1410 Printed by: Pensord Tram Road, Pontllanfraith, Blackwood NP12 2YA Published by: Landor LINKS Ltd, Apollo House, 359 Kennington Lane, London SE11 5QY © Landor LINKS Ltd 2022

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The Papilio3 at Surrey Research Park

EVolution | June 2021

Car parks are the place where many of the players in the EV charging ecosystem connect

Connecting the charging sector The delivery of zero-emission vehicle infrastructure involves the cooperation of a wide array of public and private sector organisations. Central to the provision of public charging are the chargepoint operators (CPOs), which are in themselves representative of the diverse range of commercial interests at play in this sector. Several CPOs are owned by energy companies, others by utilities providers or backed by carmakers, while there are a number of independent networks with an assortment of backers. The CPOs, in turn, form part of a network of organisations that are facilitating, financing and managing the provision of chargepoints. This web includes central governments and their agencies, regional and local authorities, motorway service operators, retailers, property developers and parking providers. Parking is key to the future of zero-emission motoring. Whether it is on a driveway, at the kerbside, in a public car park, a workplace, a shopping centre or at a motorway service area, electric vehicles re-charge when parked. The parking sector is a surprisingly complex ecosystem comprising councils, car park operators, payment and technology providers. It was the extensive coverage that Parking Review magazine gave to the development of EV charging policy, technologies and business models that led to the launch of the EVolution website and magazine. Our mission is to connect the many players involved in the provision of zeroemission charging infrastructure. Please keep in touch.

Mark Moran Editor

Parking is key to the future of zero-emission motoring

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NEWS

Cost of rapids rises by a fifth RAC launches Charge Watch price monitoring project The average price of charging an electric car on a pay-as-yougo, non-subscription basis at a publicly accessible rapid charger in Great Britain has increased by 21% to 44.55p per kilowatt hour (kWh) since September, according to analysis by the RAC. RAC Charge Watch is an initiative designed to monitor the cost of public electric car charging in the UK. Run in association with the national FairCharge campaign, Charge Watch follows the motoring organisation’s Fuel Watch service which records petrol and diesel prices. The 7.81p per kWh increase, from 36.74p at the end of last summer, means that the average cost to complete an 80% rapid charge of a typical family-sized electric car with a 64kWh battery has increased by £4 over this period, from £18.81 to £22.81 now (cars revert to slower charging speeds beyond 80% to preserve battery health). In contrast, the cost of filling a 55-litre family car from empty to 80% has increased by a huge £14.54 since last September, from £59.67 to £74.21 – a 24% increase. The RAC’s analysis shows

that it now costs on average 10p per mile to charge at a rapid charger, up from 8p per mile last September. This is nearly half the cost per mile compared to filling a petrolpowered family car, the cost of which has risen from 15p per mile since the end of last September to a staggering 19p per mile now. The cost per mile for a similarly sized dieselpowered car is still higher at nearly 21p. The average price of charging at the quickest ultrarapid chargers – which have a power output of 100kW-plus and can deliver a charge to a compatible vehicle in as little as 20 minutes – has increased by a greater margin of 16.76p per kWh, from 34.21p per kWh in September to 50.97p in May. This means the cost to charge a vehicle to 80% has risen from £17.51 to £26.10. This, however, is still £48 cheaper than filling a petrol-powered car to 80%, although electric car drivers do not get quite as many miles from an 80%

charge as drivers of petrol cars do from an equivalent fill-up of a tank of fuel. The price increases facing drivers of electric cars using publicly accessible chargers can be explained by the rises in the wholesale cost of electricity, which itself is driven by hikes in the cost of gas – especially since a considerable proportion of the UK’s electricity is generated by natural gas-fired power stations. Ofgem figures show that the wholesale cost of gas doubled between the end of September 2021 and the end of March this year, with wholesale electricity prices rising by around 65% over the same period. While the cost of charging a zero-emission electric car remains good value compared to topping up a petrol or diesel car, as things stand drivers who cannot charge up at home – which could be as many as one-in-three – are penalised by having to pay a higher rate of VAT on electricity than those who can, something the RAC-

InstaVolt increases rapid charger tariffs InstaVolt has raised tariffs across all its rapid chargers in response to continued pressure from wholesale energy costs. Since 4 May charging on the InstaVolt network has cost 57p per kWh. Adrian Keen, chief executive of InstaVolt said: “Electricity is by far our greatest cost, and the volatile energy market and record high inflation means we face no choice but to pass on some of these costs to consumers. We have tried to minimise how much we pass to consumers and absorb costs where possible. At this critical point in the mass transition to EV’s it is important that we continue to invest in building our network to give drivers confidence in public charging.

Adrian Keen

“We are on track to grow the number of chargers on the InstaVolt network by over 80% in the next 12 months. We’re building more hubs, and seeking to offer more

backed FairCharge campaign consistently points out. This, the RAC said, risks putting off a huge number of drivers from switching to electric next time they change their vehicles. The FairCharge campaign is calling for the 20% VAT rate currently charged on electricity at public chargers to be cut to match the 5% levied on domestic electricity, thus making it an easier decision for those who cannot charge at home to switch to an electric car. Doing so would see the cost of charging up at a rapid charger cut by 5.57p per kWh, and at an ultra-rapid charger by 6.37p. This would reduce the cost of an 80% charge by £2.85 and £3.26 on average at rapid and ultra-rapid chargers, respectively. RAC electric vehicle spokesperson Simon Williams said: “Just as the price that drivers of petrol and diesel cars pay to fill up at the pumps is driven by fluctuations in the world oil price, those in electric cars are affected by gas and electricity prices. But while electric car drivers may not be immune from the rocketing price of wholesale energy – most notably gas, which in turn dictates the cost of electricity – there’s no doubting that charging an EV still represents excellent value for money compared to filling up a petrol or diesel car.”

chargers at each location to serve a growing number of vehicles. We’ll also be expanding some of our busiest sites too, such as the recent expansion at Stroud Park, Oxfordshire just off the M40.” When announcing the increase, InstaVolt highlighted the VAT disparity between home and public charging. Home energy tariffs attract just 5% VAT whilst public charging continues to attract a 20% rate of VAT, meaning drivers who cannot charge at home face higher bills. “We continue to support the reduction in VAT rates for public charging, which currently stands at 20%, versus the at home tariff VAT of 5%, discriminating against those who don’t have access to home charging. We are raising awareness to align the rates of both public and private charging.”

EVolution | June 2022

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NEWS

UK’s EV population is growing Three-quarters of a million EVs are now on UK roads, but car ownership falls The number of vehicles in the UK grew 0.4% to 40,506,971 in 2021, according to new Motorparc data released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), with more plug-in electric cars, vans, trucks and buses put on Britain’s roads amid highly challenging pandemic and economic conditions. Despite the increase in the parc, major shortages of key components and supply chain disruptions across the globe caused new car registrations to remain static at 1.65 million, with car ownership falling – 0.2% to 35,023,652 vehicles – the second year in a row the car parc has fallen and the first time the UK has experienced consecutive falls in more than a century. Global shortages of components – most notably semiconductors – have constrained the new car market. Lockdowns of the past two years that closed dealerships also mean consumers have held on to their vehicles. These factors have contributed to the average car age reaching a record high of 8.7 years, more than a year older than that a decade ago. Around 8.4 million cars, just under a quarter of those on the road, are more than 13 years old, having been in service since 2008. A good year for light commercial vehicles saw the number on the road rise by 4.3% to 4,804,833, contributed to an overall increase in the parc. The heavy goods vehicle sector, meanwhile, saw a 2.5% uplift, with 604,035 trucks in Britain making local, national and international deliveries amid increased demand from

key sectors. A decade of year-on-year decreases in the bus and coach parc ended with 1.1% growth last year to 74,451 units. In contrast, the bus and coach parc remained at the second lowest level since records began in 1994, as lockdowns and pandemic-related changes in passenger behaviour saw reduced services and less demand from operators. Electric vehicle ownership continues to grow rapidly. Nearly three-quarters of a million vehicles on the road today can be plugged in, including 720,053 cars, 26,990 vans, 993 buses and 313 trucks. While electric car uptake is growing rapidly, accounting for around one-in-five new registrations, plug-ins still only represent around one in 50 cars on the road, demonstrating the scale of the challenge ahead in convincing every driver to make the switch. Meanwhile, there are some 20.5 million petrol cars and 13 million diesels making up 58.6% and 37.1% of the car parc respectively, a combined total of 95.7%.

In the commercial vehicle sector, some 0.6% of vans are now plug-in electric, indicating that this sector is around two years behind that of cars despite both vehicle classes having the same end-of-sale date for new petrol and diesel registrations. Zero-emission public transport is picking up pace, with 1.3% of buses and coaches now battery electric. But electric trucks account for less than 0.1% of the HGV parc, as development of zero-emission technology continues. Electric car uptake also varies dramatically across the UK. A third (33.1%) of all plug-in cars are registered in London and the South East, representing 3.0% and 2.6% of all cars in each area. By contrast, 1.5% of cars in the West Midlands are plug-in electric, 1.9% in Yorkshire and Humberside, and 0.9% in the North East. Differences in uptake could also be seen across the four British nations, with plugins making up 2.2% of cars in England, 1.6% in Scotland, and 0.8% in Wales and Northern Ireland.

First car is set to be electric for next generation of drivers, survey reveals Nearly half (42%) of respondents would prefer their first car to be fully electric (26%) or in-part electric (16%), after passing their driving test, a survey commissioned by the Motor Ombudsman reveals. YouGov polled nearly 500 existing and prospective learner drivers in Great Britain online. The research found that male provisional licence holders are more likely than their female counterparts to want to adopt zero-emission motoring when starting their vehicle ownership journey (30% versus 23% respectively). With electric cars sparking the most interest amongst the next generation of full driving licence holders, the study showed that just a fifth (21%) of those polled would want to get behind the wheel of a petrol-only variant once they had lost their L-plates, with just 6% of study participants saying they would opt for a diesel-engined vehicle once they passed. The remaining 30% of those quizzed stated that they did not know what kind of car would be their preference once they gained independence on the road.

EVolution | June 2022

30% of male drivers are likely to take up an EV When questioned if they were aware that a car should be serviced at least once a year in line with the manufacturer’s recommended schedule, threequarters of respondents said that they were familiar with this important part of routine vehicle maintenance to help keep occupants and fellow road users safe. The results also showed that more females (79%) than males (71%), and those residing in the Midlands (83%) were the most up to speed with this

form of best practice to keep a car in a roadworthy condition. On the subject of the need to get an MOT once a vehicle reaches three years of age, 77% of survey participants stated that they were conversant with this legal requirement. Awareness of having to hold a valid certificate for a used car from its third birthday onwards was revealed as being fairly balanced between male and females (75% and 80% respectively), with the survey also showing that knowledge about having to get a car tested was highest amongst individuals living in the South (85%). In contrast, awareness was lowest within the 18 to 24 age group (at only 73% of respondents in this category). The survey findings have been published to mark the launch of The Motor Ombudsman’s Second Edition of its online #JustPassed guide. The free-ofcharge resource highlights the key considerations for new drivers when looking to purchase their first car, or when needing to get it serviced.

EVolution#4_June_2022.qxp_PR361_p23-33 08/06/2022 19:19 Page 6

NEWS

Volkswagen promises transparency Volume brands will offer charging at fixed prices The Volkswagen Group has made a commitment to providing cost transparency across its electric vehicle charging networks. The group’s volume brands Volkswagen, Cupra/Seat and Škoda are now offering simple tariffs for public charging, allowing their customers to charge at fixed kilowatt-hour prices throughout the entire charging network. As part of its NEW AUTO strategy, the Volkswagen Group will be expanding its European charging network. E-car drivers can now use more than 310,000 charging points throughout Europe, including around 10,000 fast chargers at over 3,000 locations. Volkswagen is also planning a partner programme to increase driver comfort at charging parks. Thomas Schmall, Volkswagen Group board member for technology and CEO of Volkswagen Group Components, said: “In the electric age, charging and energy are of the utmost strategic importance. For example, for many customers who consider an e-car, a home charging option is still a must. We cannot be satisfied with that limitation.

Volkswagen driver benefits include access to the IONITY charger network

“With NEW AUTO, we have therefore taken these issues into our own hands and are ourselves investing in comfort, quality and expansion of the charging network on Volkswagen makes charging easier and more convenient on behalf of our customers. This is a strong team effort by our volume brands and the group! Our goal is to get everyone excited about e-mobility.” Hildeard Wortmann, group board member for sales, added: “As part of the NEW AUTO strategy, we are working with our group brands towards the goal of becoming the market leader in e-mobility. To this end, we are building a complete ecosystem for our customers, which includes the key topic of charging. We want to offer a fully integrated,

comfortable and all-round positive charging experience that they won’t find anywhere else.” Volkswagen customers will be offered a choice between three basic tariffs, each with fixed prices per kilowatt hour charged. The new tariffs apply to customers of We Charge (Volkswagen), Powerpass (Škoda), Easy Charging (Seat/Cupra) and the Elli EV charging brand. The tariff will offer top conditions for using IONITY fast chargers, among other benefits. Volkswagen has developed a selected partner programme that involves working with charging hub operators. In the future, particularly convenient charging stations will be highlighted in the e-cars navigation system and drivers

Volkswagen and BP launch EV partnership Volkswagen and BP have launched a strategic partnership intended to boost the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) across Europe by rapidly building a fast-charging network across Europe by 2024. Volkswagen’s Flexpole 150kW charging units, each of which feature two chargepoints, have an integrated battery storage system, overcoming one of the biggest obstacles to the rapid roll-out of fast charging infrastructure in Europe today – the need for high-powered grid connections. The Flexpole units can be directly connected to a low voltage grid which removes the requirement for a dedicated substation, reducing installation times. The Flexpoles provide fast charging speeds of up to 150kW2, enough to deliver up to 160km of driving in as little as 10 minutes, depending on the model of electric vehicle.

Bernard Looney and Herbert Diess launched the first BP/Aral Flexpole fast charger in Dusseldorf The first phase of the roll-out will see up to an additional 4,000 chargepoints at BP’s Aral retail sites in Germany and BP retail sites in the UK over the next 24 months. By the end of 2024, up to

will be offered the option of choosing to drive there. The quality criteria will include reliability, weather protection and if there is a catering option. This means that customers will be able to target charging stations with a canopy and coffee offering. The programme is scheduled to start later this year. Elke Temme, chief executive Volkswagen Group Charging (Elli), said: “We want to offer our customers an optimal charging experience, making the e-car an uncompromisingly first-time vehicle choice. For this reason, we are addressing the issues of price transparency, network expansion and charging comfort. With the selected partner programme, we will offer e-car drivers a quick and clear overview of the best charging options on their route.” The company has also launched Plug&Charge, a function that will be activated later via a software update in all e-cars of the volume brands based on its MED (modular electric drive) architecture. The vehicle identifies itself at the corresponding charging stations using the ISO 15118 standard and automatically starts the charging process. Plug&Charge is supported by IONITY, Aral/BP, E.ON and Iberdrola, among others. Other partners are already preparing to join the offer.

8,000 chargepoints could be available across Germany, the UK and other European countries. Herbert Diess, Volkswagen’s chief executive officer, said:“The decarbonisation of Europe’s economy requires close collaboration across borders and sectors. We’re pleased to team up with BP to accelerate the rollout of the fast-charging network across Europe.” BP is expanding its EV charging network, including at its extensive network of retail sites. Bernard Looney, BP’s chief executive officer, said:“EV charging is one of the key engines driving BP’s transformation to an integrated energy company..” The charger locations will be integrated into the navigation and other in-car apps of Volkswagen, Seat and Škoda vehicles as well as into Volkswagen’s charging application, Elli, making it easier for drivers to find available charging points. Any EV driver will be able to use the chargers as part of the BP pulse and Aral pulse network, enabling them to collect rewards from loyalty programmes.

EVolution | June 2022

EVolution#4_June_2022.qxp_PR361_p23-33 08/06/2022 19:42 Page 7

TRENDS

When will ‘van plan’ be delivered? SMMT research shows 57% of van owners are anxious about going electric

ore than half of van owners say they are discouraged from switching to an electric van due to a lack of chargepoint infrastructure, according to research published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). A survey of 500 van owners conducted for SMMT by Savanta ComRes found that 57% of people who own or lease a van in the UK are worried that they would not be able to find a public charging point when they need it. Persuading van drivers to switch to zeroemission vehicles will be key to Britain becoming net zero, says the SMMT. “Vans directly support around one in 10 workers in Britain, acting as the essential workhorse for sectors such as construction and industry, trades such as plumbers, landscapers and cleaners, as well as home delivery services which grew rapidly during the pandemic.” “With more than four million vans on the road, electrifying the fleet will substantially reduce the UK’s transportrelated carbon emissions, while also delivering cleaner air in cities. Those who switch can enjoy lower running costs, promote their environmental credentials and demonstrate sustainability when bidding for work,” says the SMMT. More than a third of all new van models now on sale come with a plug following investment by manufacturers, investment which has delivered improved payloads and battery range. At the Commercial Vehicle Show, which took place at the NEC in Birmingham, around 10,000 visitors had the opportunity to discover the latest electric vans, alongside electric trucks, trailers and commercial vehicle technology. The survey suggests van drivers are happy with the vehicle ranges, with just 20% saying there is not enough variety of models to meet their needs. Despite electric van uptake doubling in the last year, these vehicles still account for just one in 20 new van registrations – meaning the market is about two years behind that of cars, where uptake of zeroemission cars is closer to one-in-five. “With vans facing the same 2035 end-of-sale date for non-zero-emission vehicles as cars, however, the automotive sector is calling on all stakeholders to match its commitment to drive the electric transition,” continues the SMMT. While just one-in-eight owners say they do not plan to ever switch to an electric

EVolution | June 2022

van, the vast majority (88%) say they would go electric by 2035, but a fifth of these owners say they will defer the decision for three to seven years. Overcoming this reticence is critical, says the SMMT, with many people (58%) suggesting they might be convinced to buy an EV sooner if there was a greater number of public charging points. The availability of government incentives such as reduced tax or grants towards purchase would also steer 57% of respondents towards a zero-emission van.

We need a ‘van plan’ to ensure zero-emission driving works for the millions of people for whom their van is their livelihood

“The UK already has a paucity of standard public chargepoints as take up of electrified vehicles accelerates,” says the SMMT. “There is just one available for every 32 plug-in vehicles on the road, with fears exacerbated for van owners. Public chargepoints designed for cars will not always be suitable or in the right locations for vans, which also typically need a larger

parking area. As a result, van charging provision must be factored into national infrastructure plans, with commensurate and binding targets for chargepoints for passenger cars and commercial vehicles to match the commitments of the automotive industry.” While the survey reveals perceived battery capacity to be an influence on range anxiety, with 65% of respondents stating that longer battery range would encourage them to switch, these fears may be overstated, with an average range on a single charge of an electric van now around 150 miles. Just 6% of van owners say they exceeded this distance regularly, while four out of five averaged fewer than 100 miles in a single day. Electric van buyers currently benefit from the Plug-in Van Grant, worth up to £2,500 for small vans and £5,000 for larger ones, as well as up to £350 towards installing a chargepoint at their place of work. However, homeowners no longer receive a grant to install a home charging point, meaning van owners who operate from home will need to pay the full price, which can be up to £1,500. Given 41% of respondents said they had nowhere to charge a vehicle at home or their depot, supporting both private and public chargepoint provision will be essential to drive the switch, the SMMT argues. Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, observes: “Britain’s businesses run on vans and if we’re to deliver the nation’s carbon emission cuts, we need them to move to electric. There’s an electric van to suit every business case, but we need a ‘van plan’ to ensure zero-emission driving works for the millions of people for whom their van is their livelihood and the millions more who rely on these workhorses for the delivery of their daily needs. The automotive industry is getting these new technology vehicles into the showrooms – we need government and other stakeholders to match our commitments to get them out on the road.”

EVolution#4_June_2022.qxp_PR361_p23-33 08/06/2022 19:19 Page 8

BUSINESS

Liberty Charge and AppyWay join forces Real-time data will benefit drivers and local authorities Chargepoint operator Liberty Charge is working in partnership with AppyWay, a data-driven kerbside management businesses. They are building a ‘park & charge’ solution that answers, via an app, the key questions every EV driver has: “Where can I park to charge? Is it available? How do I pay?” The partners say they want to help support local authorities in improving the awareness of chargepoint availability for EV drivers. Liberty Charge and AppyWay are building a park & charge solution that provides real-time space availability information to EV drivers while also helping local authorities with management tools to help them roll out EV chargepoints at scale. Liberty Charge’s EV chargepoints will integrate with AppyWay’s kerbside management platform,

Tesla opens network to other car brands Tesla is allowing other electric vehicles to use its Supercharger network as part of a European pilot scheme. The pilot follows an announcement from Tesla chief Elon Musk that the proprietary Supercharger network would be opened to other brands. The electric car maker has opened 15 of its 98 Supercharger stations in the UK to drivers of non-Tesla vehicles. The sites are located at Aberystwyth, Adderstone, Aviemore, Banbury, Birmingham St Andrews, Cardiff, Dundee, Flint, Folkestone Eurotunnel, Grays, Manchester Trafford Centre, Thetford, Trumpington, Uxbridge and Wokingham.

Neil Isaacson and Dan Hubert

utilising sensing technology and charging data to inform drivers when chargepoints are being used and when bays are being used solely for parking – otherwise known as ‘ICE-ing’. The companies say the solution will address an issue that EV drivers have with current apps whereby, despite the apparent availability of a chargepoint, the adjacent parking bay is occupied. AppyWay’s platform will enable councils to manage and monitor their EV charging

bays. The kerbside management tool will enable councils to plan, manage and track the changes needed for their traffic orders, the regulatory function that maps EV charging bays. This technology will be combined with a real-time demand system that provides granular data for on-street parking. When the platform is built, trials will precede a full launch. A reservation system for EV charging bays will be developed in the future.

Neil Isaacson, chief executive of Liberty Charge, said: “We have a fantastic opportunity to provide a frontrunning solution to what is becoming a significant issue as EV adoption increases. With our Liberty Global backing and partnership with Virgin Media O2, we can provide the scale and capacity required to roll this out across the UK at pace. We are passionate about helping local authorities support their residents in moving to more sustainable transport.” Dan Hubert, founder and chief executive of AppyWay, said: “This partnership will harness the power of our entire platform, from supporting local authorities in the planning stages, to revolutionising the way EV drivers find and access charging at the touch of a button. With Liberty Charge we can help councils on their road to net zero by creating confidence in charging facilities and encouraging drivers to make the allimportant switch to EV.”

Kia Charge makes 2,500 rapids available More than 2,500 rapid chargers are now available via Kia Charge, a service that gives Kia car owners access to more DC connectors in the UK than almost any other brand. DC charging allows electric vehicle owners to recharge quickly while en route to a destination. Since April 2021, Kia Charge has seen its number of available rapid chargers grow by 33% in the UK from 1,951 connectors to 2,591. These include DC chargers of 50kW or more, as well as high-power charging stations that can recharge at up to 350kW. The UK government recently announced a target of 300,000 public chargers to be available across the UK by 2030. As the UK’s public charging infrastructure grows exponentially, Kia Charge continues to offer Kia drivers

Kia Charge

the best access to the widest range of chargers from a single account. Kia compensates all charging activity via Kia Charge with 100% renewable wind power. Kia purchases the equivalent number of megawatt-hours (mWh) used by customers from renewable sources, via Guarantee of Origin certificates, effectively flooding the grid with zeroemissions power and

increasing visibility for green electricity demand on the market. The Kia Charge service provides access to chargers across all parts of the UK, Northern Ireland and Europe from a single account. In total, Kia Charge opens access to 21,123 connectors across the UK – equivalent to approximately 70% of the national public infrastructure – and more than 300,000 across 29 European countries. In the UK, the service encompasses 23 chargepoint operators, including BP pulse, InstaVolt, Pod Point, Osprey and Shell Recharge. The service also offers access to the IONITY high-powered charging network. A single account gives access to all networks via a smartphone app (Android or iOS) or RFID card, with monthly invoicing.

EVolution | June 2022

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BUSINESS

Visa partners with JustPark JustCharge community network opens private chargers up to wider use Visa is working in partnership with JustPark’s community charging service, JustCharge, which enables electric vehicle owners with a private charger installed at their home or business premises to rent it out to other EV drivers when it is not in use via an app. Visa customers using the JustCharge service will receive rewards when paying by debit or credit card. A Visa survey found that 95% of EV and hybrid drivers said standardised payment across public charging points would give them greater choice and accessibility. Research by JustPark suggests that if just 5% of households with a home charger joined its community charging network this would double the number of charging locations available in the UK. JustPark says enabling private homeowners to monetise periods when they are not using their charging point themselves would also help mitigate the loss of the government OZEZ (Office for Zero Emission Vehicles) EV charger installation grant, which ended in March. JustCharge says it connects five million drivers with over 45,000 private driveways, parking spaces, garages and

Q-Park teams up with EB Charging Q-Park is working with EB Charging to roll out charging points across 80 sites in the UK and Ireland. EB Charging will be responsible for the installation of the hardware and management of the charging provision, including a 24/7 customer support service. Q-Park will invest over £3m in the UK and Ireland on a roll out of initially over 600 electric vehicle charging points across its estate of parking facilities. Installations will start in July 2022, with works including the modernisation of the existing charging infrastructure. Adam Bidder, managing director of Q-Park UK and Ireland, said:“The world is changing and we’re happy to contribute with our portfolio and operations to the new environment we are in. We lead the way on EV charging in the private parking sector. Even so, we undertook a lengthy consultation process to ensure that we found the correct strategic partner to add value to our existing parking and charging proposition.”

EVolution | June 2022

JustCharge allows homeowners to hire out their EV chargepoints

other locations every year. Mike Strahlman, director of EV at JustPark said: “We must collectively find solutions to help millions of British households transition to clean-air vehicles. While EV demand is growing dramatically, public charging infrastructure is falling significantly behind. Unlocking thousands of home chargers during the 90% of the day they are not in use makes EV adoption a possibility for more than 50% of British households without access to designated off-street parking. This partnership with Visa is a landmark moment in our efforts to redress the

balance and make EV adoption an effortless, viable and cost-effective solution for millions more UK drivers.” Charlotte Hogg, chief executive of Visa Europe said: “The challenge we collectively face is to grow our electric vehicle charging infrastructure rapidly and strategically, and find sustainable solutions today to avoid creating problems for the future. Innovative solutions like JustCharge, which provides secure, managed public access to private charging points, can make an immense contribution to overall EV charging provision.”

Jersey Electricity offers EV charging subscription

The Ohme Home Pro smart charger

Jersey Electricity will offer EV drivers a bundled subscription that will give hassle-free home charging plus an Ohme Home Pro charger from £30 a month. The Easycharge subscription packages offer customers an Ohme Home Pro smart charger with a lifetime warranty, access to the Ohme

smart charging app, full installation, ongoing customer support and inclusive overnight charging. The three tariffs on offer with Easycharge will provide an all-inclusive package for customer peace-of-mind, each lasting for three years on a rolling subscription.

The entry Easycharge tariff starts at £30 per month for 1,500kWh (est. 6000mls), rising to Easycharge Plus at £45 per month for 3,000kWh (12,000mls) and then to the Easycharge Unlimited tariff at £85 per month. “We are delighted to be linking with Ohme to deliver a brand new electric vehicle charging solution for Jersey,” said Peter Cadiou, director of commercial services at Jersey Electricity. “Easycharge is a unique solution for drivers to package all of their EV charging costs and make them more manageable via a convenient monthly subscription. We have listened to customer feedback and are really excited to bring this first of its kind solution to benefit customers in Jersey, enabling them to easily make the transition to EV driving.”

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TECHNOLOGY

GoHub development team revealed ZipCharge teams up with designers at ICEE and Graphite Portable EV charging developer ZipCharge has announced strategic partnerships with ICEE Managed Services and Graphite to develop the mechanical and electrical systems for the GoHub. The GoHub is a modular and flexible storage unit for Go portable chargers. It is intended for use in a range of locations, including on-street, car parks, workplace and private environments. UK-based ZipCharge is planning a global energy point network of 100,000 GoHubs by 2030. British companies ICEE Managed Services and Graphite will be the key partners in bringing development, production and delivering the GoHub to market. Both companies have been involved engineering, manufacturing and installation of public infrastructure, including the Brompton Bike Hire docks at 60 locations across the UK. Jonathan Carrier, ZipCharge

The GoHub

co-founder, said: “We are delighted to have found two strategic partners in ICEE and Graphite. Together we will deliver the GoHub, a revolution in public charging provision, providing a community-based solution that can be installed anywhere, at a much lower cost and at a much faster rate, while enabling any parking space to be a charging spot. “The ability to roll out electric vehicle charging infrastructure at speed is essential to allow national and local governments to deploy it

EVIOS launches home charger New British company EVIOS has launched an electric vehicle (EV) home charger. Created by David Martell, former chief executive of Chargemaster, the EVIOS One features a jargon-free user interface, a large colour screen and a smartphone app that allow users to configure each charge to suit their needs and preferences. This enables users to see exactly how many miles have been added in each charging session and the cost. The EVIOS One can integrate with home energy tariffs to charge during off-peak times to significantly reduce running costs, and it can be paid for via interest-free monthly instalments. There is also an all-inclusive package that includes the cost of installation. The EVIOS One can support separate user profiles, making it an option for shared residential and business parking areas, or homes with more than one EV. Access to the EVIOS One is

David Martell protected via PIN to prevent unauthorised use. Up to eight profiles can be stored. The EVIOS One is internet-enabled. Via the app, users can access and control charging when away from the unit itself. ‘Push’ notifications sent via the app or email mean users can be kept updated on key details relating to their charges. In addition, over-the-air updates ensure users always have access to

at a faster rate where it is needed the most to support mass EV adoption. EV owners will now have the choice to purchase the Go outright, on subscription or rent one through the GoHub. The GoHub is the world’s first portable EV charging infrastructure for shared, public use.” Working together with ZipCharge, ICEE and Graphite undertook a three-month concept study to evaluate the design, technical, operational and installation challenges of the early GoHub concept.

the most up-to-date functionality and features. The EVIOS One can connect with Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices, allowing users to adjust settings and review charge status via voice commands. Owners and users of the EVIOS chargepoint can download detailed reports outlining their energy use and expenditure – tailored for time periods of their choosing – to help keep a track of outgoings. Meanwhile, business users can easily generate summaries for expense claims based on individual users or individual vehicles – ideal if there are different EVs being run by the same household. Drivers keen to minimise the environmental impact of their motoring can select the EVIOS One’s ‘Pure Green’ setting, which interacts with solar or wind power sources attached to the home to deliver zeroemissions charges. The new home charger is designed, manufactured and shipped from a new purpose-built production facility

Using lessons learnt from other projects, the team could accelerate their understanding of the technical challenges associated with both the mechanical design and electrical systems. During 2022, ICEE undertook detailed engineering design work on a range of GoHub configuration. It focussed on delivering a modular solution that could maximise the number of Go powerbanks available in the smallest possible footprint to reduce material cost, simplify manufacturing, and make it easier to transport and install. Graphite previously developed the electronics and software to operate and manage the hire of Brompton’s folding bicycle lockers. Graphite designed bespoke Linux-based controllers and modems with ultra-low power consumption to reflect the fact that most Brompton docks run off solar power. As well as the controller, Graphite developed the system for identifying in which dock and bay each individual bike is located in throughout the UK, which is how the ZipCharge Go powerbanks will be monitored inside the GoHub.

in Stewartby, Bedfordshire. The EVIOS One installation is undertaken by the company’s own team of qualified installers around the UK. New customers can book an installation via the EVIOS website. EVIOS is the brainchild of David Martell, who was founder of Chargemaster, which went on to be acquired by BP in 2018. Martell was also an advisor on EV infrastructure to the Department for Transport from 1995 to 2000. “For EVs to be adopted by millions more UK motorists, they should be at least as easy to own and run as ICE vehicles,” Martell said.“Much attention is given to developing the quality and quantity of public chargepoints, but the majority of charging will need to take place at homes. “We evaluated all of the existing home chargers on the market and saw that too often they are hard to understand and control, and we believe this will put many off the idea of buying an EV in the first place.”

EVolution | June 2022

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TECHNOLOGY

A bright idea for car parks 3ti launches a pop-up solar car park that can power electric vehicle chargers

pop-up mini solar car park and electric vehicle charging hub, deployable in just 24 hours, has been revealed at Surrey Research Park in Guildford. The Papilio3 has been developed by 3ti to meet the UK’s need to expand electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure ahead of the government’s proposed ban on the sale of new diesel and petrol vehicles in 2030. 3ti is a UK designer, installer, funder and operator of solar car parks. The unit is built around a recycled shipping container and can support up to 12 fast EV chargepoints. The solar and battery-boosted charging system optimises the speed of charge and reduces the carbon intensity of electricity used. The Papilio3 solar hub is available from 3ti on a rental contract so requires no capital investment by customers. “Overnight charging at home generally provides the most cost effective, carbon efficient, sustainable form of EV charging, but in the UK, around 50% of households will not be able to do this,” says Tim Evans, 3ti founder and chief executive. “If you live in a flat, a tower block, a rented house, in temporary accommodation or even in a £10m terraced town house in Chelsea, you’re probably not going to be able to charge an EV at home. “We believe that solar and battery boosted destination and workplace charging will become the best EV charging solution for drivers, irrespective of the type of home they live in. By utilising dwell times of several hours, when cars are parked at work or when the driver is visiting a shopping or leisure venue, for example, 3ti’s system ensures that EVs can achieve a level of charge that covers day-today driving needs in the most low carbon way.”

Modular design Papilio3 is fitted with three modular canopies that support 36 solar panels and has battery storage capacity of up to 250kWh. It has been developed by 3ti with Cambridge Design Partners, and has been designed for roll out at workplaces and public destinations such as hospitals, hotels, meeting venues, sports or shopping centres, tourist attractions and town centres. Each unit offers sheltered, illuminated and secure parking, plus a convenient, available and reliable EV charging experience that supports a mixture of 7, 11 and 22 kilowatts.

EVolution | June 2022

The Papilio3 at Surrey Research Park

“Widespread adoption of solar car parks will turn underutilised spaces into renewable energy generating assets, and adding batteries and EV chargepoints will accelerate decarbonisation of the UK’s transport sector,” explains Evans, who led the teams responsible for solar car parks at Bentley Motors in Crewe and JP Morgan in Bournemouth. “Allowing businesses to generate renewable energy right outside their front door not only gives them greater control of energy costs, it also makes a huge statement to customers and visitors that they are serious about tackling climate change and reducing carbon emissions. By deploying fast chargepoints, up to 12 at a time, with Papilio3, we will provide much needed, cost effective chargepoint infrastructure and expand the UK’s network of public EV chargepoints.” Papilio3 integrates three technologies that are more usually considered individually: solar photovoltaic electricity generation, battery energy storage systems (BESS) and EV chargepoints. Combining the three offers a range of benefits, including the ability to use grid energy, solar power and battery storage to optimise the speed and carbon intensity of EV charging. On-site renewable energy generation from solar panels also reduces energy costs and gives businesses greater control over energy supply.

A sustainable solution The Surrey Research Park is home to over 200 innovative businesses, from start-ups to global corporates such as Airbus and BAE Systems. Owned by the University of Surrey, the research park’s businesses employ over 4,500 staff. It was 3ti’s preferred locational choice

because of the park’s client base, the presence of a cluster of companies working on sustainability and the deep links with the University of Surrey. Grant Bourhill, chief executive officer at Surrey Research Park, said: “The University of Surrey and Surrey Research Park have a long history of working with industry to drive innovation. We pride ourselves on creating an environment that supports the entrepreneurial community to develop and grow. The roll-out of Papilio3 reflects our commitment to sustainability in addition to testing new innovation and supporting business growth.”

A car park solution “One of the best things about owning an EV is that you don’t have to visit a petrol station to fill up,” says 3ti chief technical officer Mark Potter. “As EV drivers, we want to charge when we stop, not stop to charge. Rapid charging with 50-250kW is fine for en route charging during long journeys, but it’s not the right solution for regular use – it increases battery degradation and pushes up electricity prices for everyone, not just those who are charging. If you can’t charge at home, it’s best to charge when you arrive at where you’re going. “Cars are parked 95% of the time. That’s when and where they should be charged. Destination and workplace charging is a more sustainable option, better value and more much more convenient. The three technologies integrated in Papilio3 enable the system to store and use the cleanest, lowest cost energy from its own solar panels and the grid supply. That means we can reduce the demand on peak hours grid energy without compromising EV charging speed.”

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