Zap-Zero is to be a new low carbon route planner for electric vehicle (EV) drivers, with Zap-Map partnering carbon data science firm Advanced Infrastructure for its development.
The new function of the Zap-Map app will provide carbon intensity for individual chargepoints based on real-time grid data, allowing EV drivers to monitor the actual emissions associated with every kWh of power their vehicle consumes and choose the lowest carbon chargepoints.
This is enabled by Advanced Infrastructure’s ‘digital twin’ of the UK’s electricity network, which is to be overlaid on Zap-Map’s database of EV chargers.
Zap-Zero comes alongside Zap-Map’s existing route planner, which gives EV drivers the ability to map journeys with charging stops based on their vehicle’s range and charging capability.
It is expected to launch in early 2022, with the joint proposal from the two companies having won £540,000, funded by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) and InnovateUK, to build the product.
Zap-Map expects it to also be beneficial to fleets, enabling them to report their footprint as accurately as possible, with all large companies being required under the UK’s Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting Act 2018 to report both direct emissions and indirect emissions associated with their electricity consumption.
Ben Lane, Zap-Map co-founder and CTO said: “Drivers and fleet managers choose electric because they want to lower their carbon footprint, so how the electricity powering their vehicles is sourced is paramount.
“The integration of Advanced Infrastructure’s data provides that in-depth traceability, driving the footprint of already low-carbon journeys down further still and helping businesses go the extra mile in the detail and transparency of their carbon reporting.”
It follows a number of new additions to Zap-Map, including Zap-Pay – which was launched in 2020 with an aim of simplifying payment at public chargepoints – and Zap-Home.
Zap-Home allows drivers to pre-book and pay to use residential chargers through the Zap-Map app, with parking platform JustPark making over 800 EV chargers available through Zap-Home in June.
It has also continued to expand its network, recently signing up char.gy and GeniePoint.
