The electric vehicle (EV) industry has been busy of late, including new partnerships and new director appointments.
Current± rounds up the latest stories from the EV industry below.
Recharge UK working group to accelerate HGV and fleet electrification
A new working group run by Recharge UK – the EV arm of the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA) – has set out a list of objectives designed to accelerate the electrification of HGVs and commercial fleets.
Chaired by Neil Durno, truck and commercial fleet – new business manager at SWARCO Smart Charging, key objectives of the group include:
- Develop recommendations for policy and regulations that commercial vehicle charging and related facilities are developed and maintained as a critical national infrastructure.
- To safeguard SMEs against being disadvantaged as a result of fleet electrification.
- Create financial incentives to encourage the development of charging facilities for municipal and third parties.
- Develop a framework model for economic costs and benefits for commercial fleet migration using insights from early adopters’ experience – ‘Moving form Show Case to Business Case’.
“The electrification of commercial vehicle fleets provides us with a significant opportunity to reduce carbon and other related emissions, so I am delighted that we have received such a high level of interest from current and new REA members to form this working group,” said Durno.
“At a time when there is such great interest in the future of commercial road transport it is vital that we develop the energy and charging infrastructure systemically in order to provide charging networks which align to the needs of transport operators; eliminate the uncertainties of reliability and availability; so that chargers can be located and scheduled to provide fleet operators and their clients with the time critical delivery capabilities required.’’
The group’s objective are said to have been established to influence the approach to a UK-wide network of charging provision.
Durno added: “Due to the size of the market, and Zero Emission Vehicle mandate timescales, transitioning commercial van and HGV fleets is going to take the next 20 years. The successful outcome from the recommendations of the group will address ways to improve the business case for investment through higher utilisation and result in greater confidence and speed of transition over to battery electric vehicles for commercial fleet operators, whilst at the same time addressing the implications and opportunities for our energy system (generation and network) through a ‘whole system thinking’ approach.’’
Wallbox customers gain access to Octopus EV benefits
The EV provider Wallbox N.V has announced a strategic partnership with Octopus Energy Group to grant its customers access to ‘Intelligent Octopus Go.’
The smart EV charging tariff charged EVs when energy from the grid is at it’s cheapest and often greenest, saving drivers an estimated £600 annually with smart charging rates and home energy efficiency.
Using their Pulsar Max, Wallbox customers will be integrated to Octopus’ ‘Intelligent’ tariff allowing hem to schedule the time and amount of charge they require in their vehicle.
Both Wallbox and Octopus will cooperated in reducing charging costs.
“We are proud to announce the partnership with Octopus to implement smart solutions and avoid having to meet increased demand with fossil fuels. Parliament states that demand for electricity will increase by about 50% by 2035. We believe that EVs will determine a large share of it,” said Ashley McFadden, Wallbox sales team lead.
“We created ‘Intelligent Octopus Go’ to keep charging costs for EV drivers as low as possible, saving them hundreds of pounds each year whilst taking pressure off the grid by charging their cars when it is greenest. Going green isn’t only good for the planet, it’s also good for your pocket, and we’re thrilled that these super cheap rates are now also available to Wallbox customers”, said Alex Schoch, Head of Flexibility at Octopus Energy.
Former Gridserve COO joins Moto in newly created director role
Gridserve’s former chief operating officer (COO), Alan McCarthy-Wyper has joined the motorway services operator Moto as the managing director, EV, and energy.
In the newly-created Operating Board role McCarthy-Wyper will assume responsibility for accelerating Moto’s transition to clean fuels.
At present, Moto has said it has led the roll out of just under 400 ultra rapid chargers across 27 of its Motorway Service Areas as it targets its to have almost 2,500 ultra rapid chargers by 2030.
“Our vision is to transform the UK’s rest stop experience and being a pioneer in the provision of electric charging for motorists is a huge part of that. Alan’s appointment, and the experience he brings with him signals another major step change in our ambitious leadership role around clean fuel transition and decarbonising the UK,” said Ken McMeikan, Moto’s chief executive.
“It’s an exceptionally exciting time for Moto and our customers as we are now evaluating the exciting potential of becoming a Charge Point Operator in our own right, like our partners Gridserve and Tesla, and to forge ahead with our ambition to produce our own renewable energy to compliment the power we currently secure from the seven power companies across the UK. I am delighted we have attracted someone of Alan’s calibre to drive our ambitious plans forwards at pace.”
Before joining Moto, McCarthy-Wyper was COO at Gridserve for four years.
