Category Archives: EVs

Cardiff, Cardiff News, Electric Vehicles, EVs, EVs and Automotive News

FleetEV celebrates national contract win

Cardiff-based FleetEV is celebrating after being awarded a place on the Halton Housing Fleet Procurement Framework, managed by MUFG Corporate Markets, a division of MUFG Pension & Market Services (formerly Link Group).

FleetEV is an electric vehicle (EV) services provider that focuses on helping organisations transition to electric vehicles through comprehensive leasing, salary sacrifice, and fleet solutions tailored to diverse client needs.

The company has been awarded a place on three lots of the national framework: passenger cars, light commercial vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes, and light commercial vehicle conversions. The framework is valued at £450 million and can be used by any public sector body in the UK, opening up significant growth opportunities for the Cardiff-based business.

Jarrad Morris, CEO and Founder FleetEV, said: “We’re so pleased to have been awarded a place on the Halton Housing Fleet Procurement Framework, managed by MUFG Corporate Markets, especially on three separate lots. We feel passionately about changing the face of EVs across the country and are so pleased to take our brand nationwide through this framework. We look forward to engaging with the public sector through the framework, helping them adapt to EVs in a simple way.”

 

Darrell Slevin, Director and Head of Asset Finance Advisory at MUFG Corporate Markets, a division of MUFG Pension & Market Services (formerly Link Group), said: “We are delighted to welcome FleetEV onto the Halton Housing Outright Purchase Framework. Being on three lots will enable them to deliver a wide range of vehicles covering the public sector’s electric light commercial vehicle requirements throughout the UK.

“We wish them every success and look forward to working alongside them to deliver best value into the public sector.”

EVs, EVs and Automotive News, News

Marketcheck reports EV record used values as total stock surpasses £1 Billion in August

Marketcheck, the leading source of data on the UK used car industry, has reported that the total value of all used electric vehicles on the UK used market surpassed £1 billion on multiple occasions in August.

With the count of vehicles standing at 32,331 for the UK market on August 11th, with an average price of £31,524. On four other individual dates, the total surpassed £1 billion – the 3rd, 7th, 9th and 10th.

Alastair Campbell, Marketcheck UK, commented:

“The used UK electric vehicle market is now at almost 8% of all used vehicles for sale, driven by supply increases as vehicles come off fleet and company car schemes. Days on market remain consistent showing that demand is increasing as supply grows. Certainly the fall in pricing will be helping keep demand high as some quality used EVs like the Tesla Model 3 drop under £18,000.

It is now only a matter of time before EVs are more than 10% of the whole used UK car market – only a few years ago, that was entirely unimaginable.

We will continue to track the development of the used EV market, with Marketcheck’s unique real-time analysis. It is set to tell a fascinating story.”

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About Marketcheck UK:

By tracking data on 650,000 daily car adverts from 11,000 dealers in 14,000 locations, Marketcheck captures an incredible amount of data on the UK used car sector.

Data is matched against the DVLA, SMMT and other sources for normalisation and accuracy.

This includes historical data back to January 2021, broken down by model, price, mileage, days on market, location, website, dealer brand, and so much more.

To learn more, visit https://marketcheck.uk/

EVs

Why increased investment in electric vehicles is vital to help drive our economy towards its net zero targets

Electric vehicles can play a key role in the drive to achieve net zero by 2050 – if we see increased investment from the public and private sector.

That’s the view of one of the country’s leading experts in this area, who also believes increasing access to EV charging points is of vital importance.

Robert Byrne, operations director of adi Vehicle Charging Solutions, a company making great strides in helping build the UK’s EV infrastructure, said: “Both private and public entities have a role to play in improving charging infrastructure, with increased investment from private companies as well as government-funded initiatives being necessary to generate sustainable change.

“Overall, the EV market in the UK is still registering significant growth. While just 0.4% of new vehicles were electric in 2016, this number rose to 23.9% in 2023, and the market registered an 18% growth in battery-electric cars in 2023 in just one year.

“In 2024, we are continuing to witness advancements in both production technology, with longer range and faster charging times, as well as investment from consumers, driven by both environmental concerns and government incentives. Electric vehicles bring substantial advantages from both a sustainability and economical point of view, being a vital ally in the journey toward net zero emissions, and one with considerable potential.”

Reaching net zero by 2050 is a complex strategy requiring the input and actions of a range of sectors and stakeholders. The UK has made significant progress in greener transport to date as part of this commitment, with the government, businesses and individuals increasingly investing in electrical vehicles and EV infrastructure.

Robert says: “The UK’s 2050 target brings attention to the critical need to lower carbon emissions and mitigate the severe impact of climate change.

“After Labour’s recent win, we are seeing a renewed commitment to reintroduce the ban on the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE) cars from 2030, as well as a pledge to accelerate the rollout of charge points and increase support for second-hand electric cars buyers.

“With the 2030 deadline having previously been pushed back and targets being missed, this promise showcases a much-needed push to enhance zero-emission driving opportunities and improve the experience of existing EV drivers.”

Electric vehicles play a crucial role in decarbonising the transport sector— the largest emitter of greenhouse gas (GHG), producing around 26% of the UK’s total emissions.

A widespread shift to EVs promises substantial improvements from an environmental perspective. Experts say air quality in urban areas could improve significantly as EVs produce no tailpipe emissions, reducing pollutants that are dangerous to public health.

Robert continues: “There are concerns regarding EV battery production, which is responsible for higher initial emissions compared to a standard gasoline vehicle. Over a third of the lifetime CO2 emissions from an electric car stem from the energy employed to manufacture the car itself.

“Nevertheless, as technology advances, we are seeing quick improvements thanks to more efficient production processes. And, electrical vehicles’ operational emissions are much lower over their lifecycle on account of their reliance on electricity rather than fossil fuels. Research has shown that the carbon emissions of an electric vehicle are 17-30% lower than those of a petrol or diesel car, even with electricity generation.

“In turn, as the proportion of renewable energy in the electricity grid increases, the emissions associated with generating electricity for EVs decrease – which is why a holistic transition to renewable energy is necessary, creating a synergy between the two.

“And ultimately, this goes hand in hand with decreasing the UK’s reliance on imported fossil fuels, which will reduce damage to the climate, enhance energy security and support the UK’s renewable energy industry, driving economic growth.”

About adi Vehicle Charging Solutions

adi Vehicle Charging Solutions provides consultation, design, installation, maintenance and network management of electric vehicle charging point infrastructures, helping build the UK EV infrastructure with the right solutions. To learn more about our services, please visit: https://www.adiltd.co.uk/divisions/adi-vehicle-charging-solutions

Car News, EVs, EVs and Automotive News, News

Used EVs are now cheaper than petrol or diesel equivalents, say researchers

HPI data shows that average retail prices of EVs are cheaper than petrol and diesel vehicles by around 8.5% at three years and rising to 14% at four years.

With over 1.1 million battery electric cars on UK roads, HPI, a vehicle history check and valuation specialist, is offering motorists a handy new guide to buying their first EV.

 

New EVs are commonly more expensive than the closest petrol and diesel equivalents, however, used EV values have fallen sharply in the past two years to provide motorists with a bargain.

A used EV represents a big saving over the new price. On average, values of used EVs for cars at the same age and mileage point have halved in value since September 2022. For models such as the Jaguar i-Pace, Mercedes EQC and Tesla Model X, this can equate to well over £20,000 less than in the summer of 2022, and for cars like the Porsche Taycan, up to £40,000 less, making previously unobtainable cars a real option for more consumers.

Chris Plumb, EV specialist at HPI, said: “The growing availability of second-hand electric models is driving demand as motorists want to reduce their environmental footprint and make significant motoring cost savings due to high diesel and petrol prices. However, switching from traditional petrol and diesel motoring to electric isn’t a like-for-like swap, and certain factors should be taken into consideration before going ahead.

“The fundamental consideration is can the vehicle be charged. If charging the car at home or nearby then EV ownership is possible. Homeowners with off-street parking will almost certainly fall into this category because there is nothing to prevent them from installing a domestic charge point and topping up the battery overnight. It’s also the cheapest way to charge an EV.

“If on-street, public charge points are close by or at work, then there is still every chance an EV will suit. If home, street or work-based charging are not readily available, then an EV may not be a realistic choice just yet.”

Chris Plumb, EV Specialist, HPI

 

Other factors to consider when buying a used EV include:

  • Charger costs – installing a wallbox is worth adding to the overall budget for the car. It costs around £800-£1,000 for a home charge point, although energy suppliers are increasingly offering EV-specific tariffs, which sometimes include a home charger bundled with the package, avoiding an up-front payment.
  • Salary sacrifice schemes – where employees give up a portion of their earnings in exchange for a new or a used car, these schemes sometimes include a wallbox as an added incentive to switch to a zero-emissions car
  • Vehicle history – when buying a used EV, it’s essential to understand its history. The HPI Check Report will flag any worrying information held against the vehicle by finance and insurance companies, the DVLA, the Police and other industry bodies. A comprehensive HPI Check is the most important check before buying a used car and is the first line of defence against vehicle fraud.

 

In May 2024, 17.6% of all new car registrations were electric cars, with 26,031 new electric cars registered. Sales of used electric cars were 71% higher in the first quarter of 2024 than in the same period last year, and sales of used hybrids are also increasing significantly. More than 41,500 pure electric cars were sold on the used market in the first quarter of this year alone,

 

Added Chris Plumb: “For drivers considering the switch to electric with a used EV, the HPI Check report is crucial. It arms motorists with vital information about the car they want to buy, not only offering protection from motoring scams and fraud but also helping to understand the vehicle’s running costs. The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) calculator considers all costs and outlines how much to expect to spend over the next three years of ownership. Using cutting-edge technology to ensure accurate and up-to-date vehicle information,  it is an invaluable tool that also breaks down what the costs are for and when they need paying.”

 

With lots of often confusing and conflicting information already in circulation about EVs, HPI’s guide simplifies everything first-timers need to know and how to approach the buying process.

Part of Solera Holdings Inc, which provides risk management and asset protection software and services to the global automotive industry, HPI first pioneered the vehicle check back in 1938, offering valuable protection to millions of UK car buyers from fraud.

 

Chris Plumb concluded: “An EV provides a reliable and enjoyable motoring experience that provides cost-effective ownership. Drivers looking to begin their EV journey with a used model should start with a HPI Check to ensure they are fully equipped with all the information they need.”

 

It is recommended that an HPI Check is taken before buying a used car.  HPI Checks reveal some shocking statistics that can affect the value of a car, including 2,205 cars being identified as write-offs and 1 in 3 cars having a hidden history or still having outstanding finance.

 

 

 

EVs, EVs and Automotive News, Logistics, Logistics Tech, News, Telematics

Inseego Launches EV Telematics Reporting To Take The Pain Out Of Operating An Electric Fleet

Inseego has launched an EV reporting package to help fleets tackle some of the most common and difficult challenges they face when operating electric vehicles. The company’s latest EV telematics capabilities are designed to support the smooth transition to electric vehicles, while providing the added insight needed to achieve high levels of operational efficiency, productivity and performance.

 

“Our aim is to remove some of the pain points that fleets encounter when switching to and running electric vehicles,” explains Steve Thomas, Managing Director of Inseego UK Ltd. “By speaking with existing customers, we were able to identify recurring operational issues that were resulting in added cost, disruption and delays. What became clear was the need for a more comprehensive EV reporting package based on real-world scenarios and experience.”

 

The advanced EV telematics functionality comprises five bespoke reports – covering status, efficiency, charging, trip replay and operational performance – and a live view for real-time visibility. It is designed to go above and beyond standard EV tracking to gain a detailed understanding of an electric vehicle fleet, while flagging issues and potential risk. For example, the operational report creates a picture of lost productivity or added costs due to uncoordinated and inefficient charging schedules.

 

“Fleets can demonstrate their green credentials and meet future sustainability targets by using the information provided by our EV reporting package to best manage the change process, target savings, and deliver business value. It is all about gaining that added layer of insight needed to make the day-to-day operation of electric vehicles smooth and trouble-free,” concludes Thomas.

EVs, EVs and Automotive News, Technology

Zeromission Secures £2.3M ($3M) Investment to Accelerate Electric Fleets

ZeroMission, the leading provider of an EV fleet management platform for commercial electric vehicles (EV’s), has today announced new investment to continue its growth and expansion strategy. The round was co-led by European venture capital companies Delta Partners and Greencode with participation from Vireo Ventures and leading industry angel investors.

Founded in 2022 by Leah O’Dwyer and Kevin Christopher who bring a combined 30 years’ experience in the EV space with global companies including ChargePoint, Siemens & ABM, ZeroMission’s vision is to accelerate zero-emission vehicle adoption with smart and practical software solutions.

Fleet decarbonisation is at the core of emission reduction strategies, and commercial fleet operators are facing regulatory and commercial pressure to transition quickly to EV’s. Since its inception ZeroMission has been at the forefront of fleet electrification through development of a fully integrated software platform, designed to ensure commercial and industrial fleets can efficiently deploy and manage EV’s at scale.

The company is already providing transit bus operators in California and leading US technology companies operating electric vehicles for employee commuter services with the tools they need. The platform provides single sign-on, real-time, on-the-ground visibility into vehicles, charging stations and scheduling systems, optimises energy usage and costs, and streamlines daily operations for mission success using Electric Vehicles. With this new investment, the company has plans to enhance product development as well as expand its commercial reach.

 

On announcing the investment, Founder and CEO Leah O’Dwyer said: “Our fleet operator clients use ZeroMission as a single platform wherever they are on the journey to transition to electric vehicles. While of the majority of existing fleet operators plan to continue electrifying their fleets, we know that more than 80% are curtailed by an absence of integrated systems to manage daily operations and smart tools to plan and transition their fleets. These missing parts are what we provide for our customers and today’s announcement will enable us to expand our client base significantly.”

 

Terhi Vapola, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Greencode Ventures said: “We are impressed by the deep industry expertise of the team and the innovative approach of ZeroMission. This enables the company to offer an outstanding end-to-end solution in heavy vehicle fleet management, encompassing planning, operation, and reporting, with seamless integration to other fleet stakeholders.”

 

Amy Neale, General Partner at Delta Partners said: “The ZeroMission team are building the most comprehensive and integrated EV operating system for commercial fleets, based on true industry insights and access. At Delta, we’re thrilled to be going on this journey with them, tackling an immediate and urgent industry need.”

 

About ZeroMission

ZeroMission’s senior team has been in a wide range of roles, always at the forefront of the electric vehicle industry. Today, with over 15 years of real-world electric vehicle experience, we work closely with fleet customers and industry stakeholders to deliver projects for all vehicle types, operational scenarios and charging technologies, including AC, distributed DC, Pantograph, and Megawatt charging. Our vision is to accelerate the adoption of zero emission vehicles through smart and practical software solutions, ensuring successful day-to-day zero emission fleet operations. Our experienced team has pioneered innovative technology, projects, and business models from concept to deployment for all Electric Vehicles, including passenger cars and heavy-duty trucks and buses. Our understanding of the industry is unparalleled.

EVs

Revolutionising EV Charging: DriveElectric Plus Slashes Emissions by Up to 89%

We are entering an era in which carbon reduction and sustainability are more crucial than ever before and with the Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZAV) mandate looming, companies across the UK are compelled to reach net zero faster. A new technology from DriveElectric is making significant in reducing the carbon footprint of vehicle fleets by optimising EV charging. The latest data reveals that emissions associated with charging EVs can be dramatically cut by up to 89% with the implementation of DriveElectric Plus, an innovative solution powered by technology from their sister company CrowdCharge.

What is Emission Variability in EV Charging?

Charging your electric vehicle isn’t as simple as plugging it in; the carbon impact varies greatly depending on the carbon intensity of the power from the National Grid and its intensity fluctuates based on the proportion of renewable energy that’s being used to charge the car, which can be, in turn, influenced by factors such as weather conditions. In 2024, the average carbon intensity of the grid was 129.9g CO2/kWh, with a range from 19g CO2/kWh during high renewable energy periods to 295g CO2/kWh during low renewable periods. Consequently, the emissions linked to charging an EV can differ widely.

Enter DriveElectric Plus

DriveElectric Plus promises groundbreaking smart charging that is able to optimise the timing of EV charging to coincide with the periods of the above-mentioned low carbon intensity on the grid. This strategic approach has so far led to a significant reduction in emissions, cutting the average emissions from 81g CO2e per mile to under 40g CO2e per mile, and even achieving as low as 9g CO2e per mile: an astounding 89% reduction.

How DriveElectric Plus Works

Through AI-driven CrowdCharge technology, DriveElectric Plus charges electric vehicles when the grid’s carbon intensity is at its lowest, in this way the electricity used for charging has the smallest possible carbon footprint. Although the technology benefits individual users, its main impact is on companies, especially SMEs, as it provides extremely valuable data and insights for fleet operators, helping companies in their carbon reporting and contributing to their overall sustainability goals in their journey towards meeting zero emissions targets.

Driving Corporate Sustainability

DriveElectric, with its extensive experience and commitment to ESG principles (Environmental, Social, and Governance), has been at the forefront of promoting EV use for over 15 years now, pioneering the adoption of electric vehicles through leasing and salary sacrifice schemes. The introduction of DriveElectric Plus represents a game-changer in supporting businesses in reducing their carbon footprint and achieving net zero targets.

In a recent press release Mike Potter, Managing Director of DriveElectric, has emphasised the importance of this technology and its potential impact nation-wide: “Electric vehicles can help individuals, businesses, and the UK as a whole to achieve significantly lower carbon emissions, but only if the EVs are charged with low carbon electricity. After all, we have to ask why we are doing all this—to reduce carbon! So we should make sure we’re getting the best results. The challenge is that most drivers don’t know what the carbon emissions are each time they charge.”

Adding to this sentiment, Americo Lenza, COO of CrowdCharge commented: “DriveElectric Plus measures the carbon emissions involved in charging and optimises charging to achieve the lowest possible carbon footprint, ensuring that electric vehicles have significantly lower real-world carbon emissions than petrol vehicles.”

References

Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash

Driving, Environmental News, EVs, EVs and Automotive News, News

Sales of electric cars rising in areas affected by ULEZ expansion

Data produced by Marketcheck, the most significant source of data on the UK used car market, show that within the postcodes affected by the expansion of ULEZ, sales of used electric cars have increased.

In the three months prior to the expansion of ULEZ (1st June 2023- 30th August 2023), there were 941 electric cars sold compared to 1013 in the following three months (31st August 2023- 29th November 2023). This is an almost 8% increase (7.65%).

EV Sales within postcodes affected by ULEZ expansion:

Total Sales (01/06/23-30/08/23) Total Sales (31/08/2023-29/11/23) % increase
EV 941 1013 7.65%
Hybrid 3164 3132 -1.01%

 

Sales of hybrid cars however remained stable, showing a small decline. Using the same time periods before and after expansion, there were a total of 3164 and 3132 respectively. Whilst stable, this represents a slight 1% decline in total vehicles sold.

Alastair Campbell, Marketcheck UK, commented: “These figures show that ULEZ is having a demonstrable influence on the purchase decisions made by people living in postcodes affected by the expansion of the policy.

Hybrid cars clearly remain the most popular choice, but the data point to the increasing popularity of fully electric vehicles.”

 

About Marketcheck UK:

By tracking data on 650,000 daily car adverts from 11,000 dealers in 14,000 locations, Marketcheck captures an incredible amount of data on the UK used car sector.

Data is matched against the DVLA, SMMT and other sources for normalisation and accuracy.

This includes historical data back to January 2021, broken down by model, price, mileage, days on market, location, website, dealer brand, and so much more.

To learn more, visit https://marketcheck.uk/

 

EVs, News, Transport

Great Western Railway’s battery train sets new distance record

Great Western Railway’s innovative FastCharge battery trial has achieved another significant step – just days after laying claim to a battery train UK distance record without recharging.

The train demonstrated its capability on Wednesday by travelling a UK record of 86 miles (138km) on battery power alone and without recharging.

Today the Class 230 battery train completed a 70-mile move from Long Marston to Reading Train Care Depot – using just 45 per cent of its battery capacity. GWR’s team of specialist engineers on board the train claim it could have travelled more than 120 miles on a single charge.

While at Reading, the train will undergo compatibility testing and preparedness for future maintenance and servicing requirements.

GWR Engineering Director Dr Simon Green said:

“We were delighted by how the battery train performed today and during its series of test runs. In fact, it’s fair to say it has surpassed the expectations of our team of engineers.

“Achieving these distances gives us great confidence as we press forward with this industry-leading FastCharge technology.

“It’s also worth noting that in reaching the 86 miles on Wednesday, the train was operating in a real-world environment, at speeds of up to 60mph, stopping and starting over a hilly route, with elevation changes of up to 200m.”

The train exceeded the 84 miles (135km) recorded by a Stadler Class 777 under test conditions in 2022 – believed to have been the greatest distance travelled by a battery train designed for the UK.

GWR’s FastCharge technology has been designed to solve the problem of delivering reliable, battery-only trains capable of fulfilling timetable services on branch lines, eliminating the use of diesel traction and helping to meet the Government and wider rail industry’s target to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The use of batteries for extended operation has typically been constrained by their range and meant widespread implementation has, until now, not been possible. It also negates the need for overhead electric lines which are expensive, time consuming to install and impact the landscape.

At West Ealing, where the technology will be trialled in a real-world environment for the first time this spring, the train will charge for just 3 ½ minutes before restarting its journey on the Greenford branch line.

GWR has already carried out simulations on other branch lines in the Thames Valley to explore how it could be rolled out even further in the future. This could reduce GWR emissions alone by over 1,700 tons of CO2e per year.

It is hoped the technology could one day see battery-powered trains in operation across the UK’s approximately 2,000 miles of 80-plus branch lines.

Background

In February 2022, GWR signed a deal with Vivarail to trial new battery-charging technology designed to support the wider introduction of battery-powered trains on the UK’s rail network.

After Vivarail entered administration in December 2022, GWR agreed contracts to buy intellectual property, rolling stock and equipment relating to the FastCharge technology.

Charging rails and lineside battery banks have been installed at West Ealing in preparation for the start of the trial on the Greenford branch line.

Once the trial commences it will run in non-passenger service alongside scheduled passenger services.

Record run: how GWR’s battery train clocked up 86 miles

Long Marston to Evesham West Junction, reverse, then to Moreton-in-Marsh = 25.6 miles

Moreton-in-Marsh to Honeybourne North Junction, reverse, then to Honeybourne Staff Hut and reverse again = 11.4 miles

Honeybourne Staff Hut to Honeybourne North Junction, reverse, then to Moreton-in-Marsh = 10.9 miles

Moreton-in-Marsh to Evesham West Junction, reverse, then return to Honeybourne Staff Hut via Honeybourne North Junction, then reverse again = 22.2 miles

Honeybourne Staff Hut to Evesham West Junction, reverse, then return to Long Marston via Honeybourne North Junction = 15.1 miles

Shunting to and from the maintenance shed to the entrance gate at Long Marston = 0.8 miles

Driving, EVs, EVs and Automotive News, Investment, News

Unstoppable Electric – Why the EV Market Is Predicted to Boom in the UK – and why smart investors will be looking for opportunities

The UK electric vehicle (EV) market has seen significant growth in recent years, with a marked increase in the number of electric cars and vans on the roads.

As of the end of January 2024, there are approximately 1,000,000 fully electric cars and around 600,000 plug-in hybrids in the UK. In 2023, there was an 18% growth in the registration of battery-electric cars compared to the previous year, and the total number of plug-in cars (battery-electric and plug-in hybrids) registered showed a 41% increase from 2022.

Strong UK Position

Overall, the UK’s position in the global EV market is strong, with the country ranked as the 5th best-prepared nation for the EV transition out of the world’s top 20 markets. This ranking reflects the UK’s robust demand for new EVs, which is encouraging more consumers and businesses to adopt electric vehicles.

New laws requiring car and van makers to sell a minimum percentage of zero-emission vehicles have come into force in Britain on 3 January 2024.

The Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate stipulates that electric vehicles (EVs) must constitute 22% of new car sales in 2024, increasing to 28% in 2025, reaching 52% in 2028, and a substantial 80% being purely electric by 2030. Moreover, by the year 2035, the mandate mandates that 100% of newly sold vehicles must be emission-free.

The transition to electric vehicles is well underway, and regulations have been implemented to facilitate this shift.

Rising and Rising EV Sales

The EV sales in the UK made up over half of the vehicle sales during the first quarter of 2023, demonstrating the increasing preference for electric and hybrid vehicles over traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.

The growth in the UK EV market is part of a global trend towards electric mobility, with significant advancements in technology and supportive government policies fuelling the market’s expansion.

In terms of electric vans, there has been a notable increase in registrations, with more than 56,000 electric vans in the UK as of January 2024. The number of electric vans sold in the UK saw a significant uptick last year, thanks in part to the increased availability of new models, expanding the choices available to consumers.

The need for more chargers

A transformative shift is occurring in how we power our vehicles. Charging an electric vehicle introduces a new paradigm where the “petrol station” is essentially a car park or driveway.

The opportunities for growth of EV sales are clear – however, there are challenges that need to be addressed to sustain this growth, not least the rapid deployment of charging infrastructure to meet demand – which is currently far short of what is needed already, both at home and on the road.

Think about where you fuel your car currently – and then think about solutions for EVs that focus only on Motorway Service Stations.  The point is, nobody wants to drive too far to top up – the companies that get charging right could benefit from lots of repeat business too.

The opportunity to make money in the sector is likely to be there for the taking, and we can expect to see massive opportunities both for investors who back it and for retailers, restaurants and consumer outlets that provide it for their customers.

New charging companies like Go Zero are already hitting the market strong, with their ‘Go Zero’ models for home and local businesses proving popular, delivering both a healthy return for investors and a high degree of consumer satisfaction.

The market for at-home charging is naturally in demand, but so is the need for charging on the go – and that’s where canny local businesses can tap into it.  Adding charging to your restaurant, gym or hotel car park will be appreciated by locals – but it also gives your customers a new reason to visit again.  Repeat business at it’s best, it’s a win/win.  Likewise, for employers who are struggling to find the right talent, getting EV charging at work will become a valuable benefit and a notable point of difference in an increasingly competitive market.

The demand for EV charging infrastructure is already there and the whole EV market depends on it.  It’s a great opportunity, the right time and the right product.  The only question is, will your business be part of the success story?

To learn more, click here.

 

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Sources:

Mordor Intelligence’s report on the UK Electric Vehicle Market

IMARC Group’s analysis of the Electric Vehicle Market.

EY report on the UK’s ranking in the global EV market

PwC research on EV sales in the UK

Zapmap’s statistics on the number of electric vehicles in the UK