InstaVolt expands electric vehicle charging hub in Banbury

Fleets are starting to take the efficiency of different electric vehicles (EVs) seriously thanks to increases in the cost of charging, says the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP).

Paul Hollick, chair at the AFP, said the gaps between the most and least efficient EVs were striking, and that fleet managers were increasingly swapping information on which were delivering the best figures in real world conditions.

“When EVs started arriving on fleets, fuelling them cost just a fraction of a petrol or diesel vehicle, so there was relatively little attention paid to which had the best miles per kWh figures. However, the price rises seen in the last year or so, with some on-the-go charging costing as much as refuelling an ICE car or van, means that is no longer the case.

“Increasingly, fleets are taking a lot of notice about which EVs are the most efficient, They are spending time analysing which fall within reasonable parameters and which don’t in exactly the same way as they have done with ICE cars for many years. That means working out whether the problem lies with the vehicle, the route or the driver – and taking appropriate managerial action.”

Electric vehicle charging network InstaVolt has added an additional 16 chargers to its hub at Stroud Park in Banbury, making it its largest charging hub yet.

The Banbury site, situated on the M40, is now one of the UK’s largest charging hubs, with 32 chargers in total following the installation of 16 new 120kW rapid chargers in addition to the previously installed eight 125kW rapid chargers and eight 150kW Alpitronic chargers.

In line with the specification for accessible charge points, the site now includes twelve wider access bays and four fully accessible bays. The four accessible bays have the required 1.2m distancing in front of, and between the chargepoints. All 16 new chargers are installed flush to the ground at the same level as the parking bay and the site features additional lighting throughout. The site has also been adapted to provide access to local amenities for drivers with a diverse range of accessibility needs.

InstaVolt’s chief executive officer, Adrian Keen said: “As of last month, there are over 690,000 battery-electric cars on UK roads. InstaVolt is taking steps, such as our Stroud Park expansion, to ensure that adequate charging infrastructure is available to keep up with the increase in EV uptake and bridge the gap between the number of vehicles and chargers.

“We’re not only building rapid EV chargers to meet consumers’ needs but recognise that EV charging should be as accessible and inclusive as possible. By expanding our existing Banbury hub to include accessible and wider access charging bays, we’re demonstrating our commitment to improving the industry’s accessibility issues, where we’re able to do so.”

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Paul said that fleets were even starting to remove EVs with the worst figures from choice lists and sometimes incentivising drivers to choose the most efficient options.

“It’s widely reported that some widelyused EVs are struggling around the two miles per kWh mark while competing cars can deliver almost twice that figure. These are significant differences that, with current electricity pricing, can have a genuine effect on running costs.

“Certainly, some manufacturers are starting to get reputations for EV efficiency while others are seen as the opposite, and choice lists are being modified accordingly.

“Of course, efficient EVs also make AER repayments more realistic, with the new nine pence per mile rate much closer to the amount being paid by drivers of more efficient EVs who charge at home.”

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