CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE
On a roll(out)
Andy Bennett, CEO of Driivz, discusses the progress being made in the UK’s public EV charging infrastructure and the factors contributing to EV growth
Who is Driivz and how are you helping to shape UK charging infrastructure?
Driivz is a leading global software supplier to EV charging operators and service providers. Our team of EV charging experts serves customers in more than 30 industries with our cloud-based platform that spans EV charging operations, energy management, advanced billing capabilities, driver self-service tools and Driivz Insite for EV fleets.
By powering the world’s largest EV charging networks as well as new market entrants, Driivz is facilitating a smooth transition to a forward-looking EV charging ecosystem in the UK and worldwide. Our work paves the way for the future of fleet transportation in the UK by creating an efficient, sustainable and cost-effective electrified fleet fuelling environment.
Many in the charging sector disagree on where the UK needs to focus to plug charging infrastructure gaps – whether that’s slower on-street chargers or ultra-rapid en-route. What’s your view?
The most practical form of charging for fleets occurs in charging depots. This setup allows fleets that have sufficient dwell time, such as overnight or in-between shifts, to be powered by slower, cost-effective Level 2 (L2) charging. L2 charging can also be managed and scheduled through smart EV charging and energy management platforms, for reduced costs and operations optimisations.
Rapid en-route charging is the best approach for filling gaps otherwise. It’s important, though, that these chargers are placed strategically; rapid charging stations near highways and other transport throughways – and chargers next to ports and other transport terminals – are crucial. Fleet operators cannot afford the time and money it takes to deviate drivers from their planned routes.
What are the key challenges fleet operators face when electrifying their fleets, and how can they be resolved?
1) On-site power constraints: medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) fleet vehicles need access to reliable, onsite charging and immense amounts of power to fill their high-capacity batteries. EV charging and energy management platforms can be a great solution for maximising the use of existing power. They can enable charging for as much as six times as many EVs compared to unmanaged charging.
2) Charging infrastructure uncertainties: fleet owners and operators must find ways to power their fleets at scale, without disrupting their operations. Stable and reliable charging is necessary to keep fleet vehicles on the road and avoid profit losses resulting from idle vehicles. Smart energy management platforms improve charger stability and reliability in addition to allowing fleet owners to avoid costly and time-consuming utility upgrades.
3) Variable electricity rates: electricity pricing changes with demand. Fleets that can charge overnight and during other off-peak time windows will save money. Smart energy management platforms are a great tool that allow fleet managers to schedule their charging for these advantageous off-peak windows. In this way, fleets that use these platforms have advantages over other EV fleets that are charging during peak demand windows, as well as those relying on internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles that are subject to oil price volatilities. Smart energy management platforms provide stability and control for fleet owners and operators.
“Fleet operators cannot afford the time and money it takes to deviate drivers from their planned routes”
Andy Bennett
CEO of Driivz
What innovations are on the way as EV charging continues to evolve?
The maturation of bidirectional charging is a particularly interesting area for fleets. As the technology to support bidirectional charging, sometimes referred to as vehicle-to-grid (V2G), develops in both charger technologies and vehicles, so too will opportunities to use it to generate new revenue streams and reduce overall energy costs.
Bidirectional charging allows energy to flow between an EV and the grid, in both directions. It can be used to balance loads amidst peaking power demands under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). By charging fleet vehicles during low-cost time periods, and then returning energy to the grid during peak demand, fleets that aren’t in use can serve as mobile and flexible sources of additional revenue streams for their owners. As bidirectional charging tech becomes more and more prevalent in vehicles and chargers, it can be paired with smart energy management platforms to coordinate and maximise this exchange of excess power.
Final thoughts about current and future EV fleet developments in the UK?
The time is right for electric fleets in the UK. They stand to make a sizable impact on air quality. The surface transport sector emits more greenhouse gases than any other sector in the UK economy. Within this, almost 20% of these emissions come from heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) alone, despite the fact that HGVs only make up 1.3% of total licensed vehicles on UK roads. Electrifying these fleets in particular will make a large improvement in air quality.
Fleets that make the move to go electric will save money and help clean the air at the same time. Smart energy management platforms are a key to doing both; they allow fleet operators to effectively and efficiently manage their fleet charging, allowing them to scale the electrification of their fleets and thereby ramp up their environmental impacts as well.
