Octopus Energy Group and parking platform JustPark have launched a fleet-focused community charging solution dubbed FleetCharge.
The service is to use JustPark’s software to help find convenient off-street charging locations for fleet drivers who are unable to have an electric vehicle (EV) charger installed at home. These could either be at one of the company’s 50,000 parking locations or a new site five minutes’ walk from the driver’s home.
Dedicated chargers will then be installed and managed by Octopus Energy Services, the engineering arm of Octopus Energy Group. Fleets will be able to access all of the company’s private charging network through the JustPark app.
“Our discussions with fleet customers tell us that there is a real appetite to electrify in the sector, but charging accessibility at home is preventing many operators from scaling up at speed,” said Mike Strahlman, director of EV at JustPark.
“FleetCharge is a simple and effective way to bring convenient, local charging to fleet drivers, putting an end to the charging inequality that is holding the industry back”.
FleetCharge chargers will be powered by 100% renewable energy from Octopus Energy and the company’s EV roaming service the Electric Juice Network. Launched in May 2020, the network now includes chargers from the likes of Mer, NewMotion, IONITY, Char.gy, Hubsta, Alfa Power, Franklin Energy LiFe, Plug-N-Go and Osprey.
This broadens the possibilities for fleet drivers recharging, along with FleetCharge enabling overnight charging, ensuring time is not lost during the working day.
With transport responsible for a third of the UK’s carbon emissions, electricity fleets will play a “key role in the race to net zero” said John Szymik, CEO of Octopus Energy Services.
“Many fleets are struggling to electrify because of charging infrastructure and lots of drivers take vehicles home after work and those who live in a flat, terraced house or rented accommodation require access to a charge point. By giving fleet drivers reliable access to EV chargers close to their homes, we help businesses drive their decarbonisation efforts at scale,” he said.
The launch of FleetCharge follows a report in June that suggested 34% of businesses plan on putting chargers in employee’s homes to ease their transition to electrified transport. It also found that 42% of businesses reporting that one of the biggest barriers is managing the complexity of employees charging EVs at home and at public charging points.
