current affairs
Location, location, location is the key to charge point installation
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SHIFT TO ELECTRIC IS CHALLENGING, where the Clean Air Zones are), and far too often they’re and many operators in the taxi, private unreliable and already dated. hire, chauffeur and courier industry are The latest EV models can charge far faster than uncertain about how best to transition 90% of the existing network’s 50kWh chargers. to the new electric economy. Gridserve is having to replace almost all the old But if you’re an operator with a depot and parking area, Ecotricity chargers after it bought the company you have an immediate advantage. I’m going to look at last year, as they have been overtaken by technology the main pain points that some established operators are in less than a decade and a half. currently dealing with, and how they can overshadow and, There are connectivity issues with various vehicle Tim Scrafton in some cases, outweigh, the desire to go green. manufacturers – there is still no unified plug – and It is possible to cope with the main challenges of Founder and COO these problems are compounded by poor customer transition in a positive way, by taking advantage of the key of The Connect support knowledge and poor maintenance. differences between conventional internal combustionThings need to improve to meet the surging demand. Consultancy engined vehicles and EVs. With an EV, you can recharge Forecourt operators such as Motor Fuels Group (MFG) your battery in a location other than a public-facing are doing their bit to improve this situation, by rolling charge hub or a traditional petrol station – your own parking spaces out multiple, canopied ultra-rapid charging bays to their portfolio of can be your own forecourt. well-located urban forecourts, all supported by their forecourt trading Any driver with access to off-street parking at home or work is in the partner amenities. We need far more of this going forward. position to switch to EVs, as you can install a home charger – that’s But the commercial networks are more expensive than private something my company can help you with. charging. Yes, you might need to use the networks on longer journeys, And while EV adoption favours those solo owner-drivers with private but it makes financial sense to provide the energy yourself either at home parking, it also favours those larger fleets with workplace home or at workplace. charging capabilities. If you fit either of those profiles, then you’re at Homes with private parking can provide charging overnight at an immediate advantage over the operator whose office is on a busy super-cheap low peak rates from around 5p per kWh. That’s nine high street, or the driver who lives in a block of flats. times cheaper than Gridserve, which charges 45p per kWh. Better Renewable energy and electrification can democratise and empower still, workplaces offer us the potential to provide scalable, futurebusinesses with suitable locations – and there are some amazing proof solutions, so that you can grow your electric fleet and support options and new avenues available. These even include going totally it accordingly and more profitably. off-grid and in a renewable, sustainable and more cost-efficient way.
THE END OF THE ICE-AGE
Larger fleets considering the switch to EVs have a lot to weigh up but ultimately the die is cast and the transition to electric is happening now – and at a rapidly growing rate, with big operators in London such as Addison Lee, GLH and Green Tomato Cars committing to fully electric fleets within just a couple of years. There will come a point where an electric taxi is expected, and to protect the legacy of the business you’ve built over many years, there’s the need to stay relevant in an electric world. Otherwise, you risk being left behind, frozen out in the ICE-Age. Individual drivers with private off-road parking and workplaces are not the same – higher power supplies are often available to companies, which means you could have the opportunity to install rapid charging outside of the public networks, to support your fleet and on your own terms.
MORE TO DO IN ’22
The alternative to rapid depot charging is the public charging infrastructure, which in the UK is improving, but is still behind the growth curve in EV sales. In December 2021, 26% of new car sales in were pure EV – while only 7% were diesel. Change is happening. The issues with charging on public infrastructure outside Tesla’s Supercharger network are numerous. The distribution of chargers is uneven – there are not enough chargers in city centres, (exactly
FEBRUARY 2022
YOUR DEPOT – YOUR FORECOURT – YOUR FUTURE
If you have the ability to install workplace charging, there are multiple innovative ways forward to take advantage of your position. A clear and well-planned strategy starts with a detailed assessment. An independent evaluation needs to include at least the following: u Your car parking and available space u Energy supply and power needs u Resolution of any supply issues u Likely additional demand from charging u Types and number of vehicles u EV fleet growth u Changing types of vehicles u Increasing user demand u Number of chargers and optimum charging speeds u Monitoring and management u Ongoing maintenance and support There is a lot to consider and a lot of solutions. EV Fleet management is also energy management and a well planned and executed strategy will future-proof and protect your return on investment. Your depot could be the key to a successful transition. n Tim Scrafton runs the Connect Consultancy, providing end-to-
end strategy, insight, supply of EVs, chargers and installations. hello@theconnectconsultancy.com
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