EV Charging Archives - Page 2 of 9 - Fleet Summit

EV Charging

THE WHICHEV VIEW: Demand for used EVs on the rise

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
By:

By WhichEV

In a rapidly evolving automotive landscape, the world of used electric vehicles is experiencing a significant resurgence. The latest data from Auto Trader’s Retail Price Index reveals a compelling narrative, where the recovery in used EV values is driven by a combination of increasing consumer demand for greener vehicles and a softening in the recent surge of supply. With the average retail value of a used EV increasing by 0.6% on a month-on-month basis, the market is showing signs of stabilising and robustly defying a year-on-year decline.

The most striking revelation from the data is the continuous surge in used EV prices. So far in October, used EVs have seen their average retail value increase to £32,203, marking a 0.6% month-on-month growth. This surge comes after a stagnant September, which followed 12 consecutive months of decline. While prices remain down compared to the previous year, the rate of year-on-year decline is showing signs of softening at almost -20%, marking the shallowest rate since June.

Read WhichEV’s full analysis here…

THE WHICHEV VIEW: Petrol Vs Public Charging Vs Home Charging – Compared

 960 641 Guest Post
By:

By WhichEV

As part of its EV Answers series of articles, the expert team at WhichEV take a look at a small commercial vehicles and the fuel cost differences from fossil fuel to public charging to ‘at base’ charging…

Petrol

First, let’s consider range. If you recently decided to fill a 50 litre tank with petrol at £1.55 per litre, then it will have cost you £77.50. That is around 11 gallons and the average petrol vehicle will do around 36 miles per gallon – so that tank will get you just shy of 400 miles. Older, less efficient vehicle that spend most of their time at 20 mph in traffic will get closer to 30 miles per gallon, or even less – so a range of 330 miles for £77.50. Doing the calculation, we have a cost per mile with petrol of 19p to 23p.

Public Charging

You will find some chargers close to 50p per kWh, but maybe the price will be higher. We’ll use 60p for this cost calculation and imagine that you’re using a charger capable of delivering a steady 100kW. Filling a 61.7kWh battery like this, will probably get you to 80% in around 30 minutes, but the last 20% could take another 20-30 minutes as charger technology slows the process as the battery gets full.

Either way, you can pick up 61.7kWh of charge for £37.02. Most drivers do their miles in town and on smaller A roads, where you’re more likely to get close to 270 miles on a charge. To match the range of the petrol vehicle, you’d need to add up to 25% more charge – which would be another £9.23 for a total of £46.28.

Charging at Base

There are various ‘overnight saver tariffs’ to choose from. We will use 9.5p/kWh for 7 hours, but there are other deals available at the time of going to press. Local production from wind/solar as well as battery storage on site can also make a difference to the calculation.

Starting from empty at mid-night, you would pick up 49kWh at £4.65 and then you’ll need to finish with the last 12.1kWh at around 30p each once your overnight rate expires. That’s a total to fill up in one sitting of £8.28. You will need to pick up an additional 15kWh on the second evening – if you want to balance the ranges. That can be done overnight for £1.43.

Cost per mile

Another way to look at the same data, is to calculate the fuel cost per mile for driving 330 miles:-

23p        Petrol

14p        Public Charging

2.9p       Home Charging (E-On)

Before committing to an EV, do some calculations yourself and shop around for a good tariff that makes sense for your lifestyle. Prices are volatile, so our comparison is for guidance only.

Head over to WhichEV to read the full story!

It’s time to combat deliberate EV misinformation

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
By:

By WhichEV

WhichEV has been on a mission to electrify over the last 5 years. In that time, we have met with a lot of half-truths and ill-informed opinions about electric vehicles in general, but more specifically the manufacturing processes, raw materials, pollution and a host of other issues.

We welcome the initiative kicked off by Robert Llewelyn from Fully Charged and Quentin Willson from ChargeFair – to combat deliberate misinformation in the market.

Time and again, EV drivers have been surveyed and only a tiny fraction ever consider going back to slow, smelly, expensive to run petrol/diesel vehicles. The vast majority are working on strategies to maximise performance and range, while minimising inconvenience and cost.

You can read more about the Llewelyn-Willson initiate here.

The WhichEV View: Stellantis opens 100% EV-only UK manufacturing plant

 150 150 Guest Post
By:
There is a lot of talk in the media about the fact that the UK government has put in place provisions to ensure that every electric vehicle sold in the UK must use material sourced in the UK. That amount needs to be 40% of the total production of each vehicle.
This has led to the opening or commitment to open at least three large-scale EV battery plants. Stellantis has taken this one step further, by committing a £100 million investment in Elsmere Port.
This will be the first 100% EV production plant in the United Kingdom and will create a lot of jobs both inside the factory and the surrounding area and along the supply chains for the plant itself. The initial focus will be on van like products either for personal or commercial use…
To read more about this Stallantis initiative, head over to WhichEV.

The WhichEV View: Affordable EVs now arriving with 300+ mile range

 960 640 Guest Post
By:

By WhichEV

This multi-award winning MG4 EV design has now been revised with a much stronger power train/battery combination, with the updated version now offering a 323 mile range. That means the car is is likely to be able to complete London>Manchester without stopping – opening up new possibilities for fleet users.

As WhichEV points out in its Care of the Year guide, theMG4 EV costs less than half as much as a Tesla Model Y, and as a result is the more significant new arrival in the last 12 months.

It probably won’t sell as many units as the Model Y even after a full year on the market, but it draws a line in the sand about EV pricing. While the MG4 EV uses some cheap materials and still needs a little more work in its infotainment (albeit much better than before), in every area it’s more than just acceptable.

In fact, it’s great to drive, immensely practical, and – most importantly – sets a new benchmark for EV value. If any car released in the last year sets the direction for electric cars, it’s the MG4 EV. This car comes close to making EVs better than ICE in every way – including sticker price.

Read WhichEV’s full review of the original MG4 EV.

Fleet Car EV Charging Solutions: Everything you need to know

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
By:

With the UK government’s pledge to end the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030 (at time of writing!), electric vehicles (EVs) are set to become the norm. For businesses managing fleets, integrating EV charging solutions is an inevitable step forward. Here are the essential factors businesses should weigh when sourcing EV charging solutions…

  1. Assess Your Fleet’s Requirements: Start by understanding the size of your fleet and its growth trajectory. The number of vehicles, their battery capacity, and daily mileage are crucial to determining the number of chargers you’ll need, their type, and their capacity.
  2. On-site vs. Off-site Charging: Consider the spatial limitations of your premises. If on-site charging isn’t feasible due to space constraints, look for partnerships with nearby charging networks or public charging stations. On-site solutions are ideal for overnight charging, while off-site might be better suited for midday top-ups.
  3. Type of Chargers: In the UK, EV chargers vary from slow (3-6kW), fast (7-22kW), to rapid chargers (43-150+ kW). While rapid chargers can be more convenient, they’re also costlier. Balance your fleet’s charging speed requirements with your budget constraints.
  4. Cost and Financing: Implementing EV charging solutions requires capital. However, UK businesses can tap into various grants and subsidies, like the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS), which offers financial support for the costs of the purchase and installation of EV chargepoints.
  5. Integration with Fleet Management Systems: Modern EV charging solutions come with software that can seamlessly integrate with fleet management systems. This allows for real-time monitoring, scheduling, and optimisation of the charging process, ensuring efficient fleet operations.
  6. Maintenance and Downtime: Regular maintenance ensures longevity and optimal performance. Opt for solutions that come with comprehensive warranties, service agreements, and minimal downtime. Remember, a non-operational charger can disrupt fleet schedules.
  7. Scalability: As your fleet grows or the electric vehicle market evolves, your charging needs may change. Ensure your chosen solution is scalable, whether that means adding more charge points, upgrading existing ones, or integrating newer technologies.
  8. Safety and Compliance: Safety is paramount. Ensure that the EV charging solutions comply with UK and EU safety standards. Additionally, consider solutions that offer features like over-current protection, ground fault monitoring, and surge protection.
  9. Green Energy Options: To maximise the environmental benefits of transitioning to EVs, consider sourcing your electricity from renewable sources. Some providers offer green energy plans or partnerships with renewable energy suppliers.
  10. Employee Training: The switch to EVs, complemented by new charging protocols, may necessitate training sessions for employees. Ensure that the provider can offer training resources or sessions to help your team adapt seamlessly.

The transition to electric fleet vehicles is environmentally and economically strategic for UK-based businesses, but it’s the methodical selection of charging solutions that will determine the effectiveness of this shift. Businesses must engage in thorough research, consultations, and future-proof planning to make the most of their EV investments.

Are you looking for EV charging solutions for you business? The Fleet Summit can help!

Image by (Joenomias) Menno de Jong from Pixabay

The WhichEV View: 2023 UK EV sales pass landmark half-year figure

 960 640 Guest Post
By:

So far in 2023, almost 600,000 cars have been sold with some kind of electric drive motor inside – compared to only 455,000 with just a petrol engine.

Pure battery electric vehicles have accounted for over 175,000 sales so far – which means the year could end with well over 300,000 new EV sales in the UK.

More EVs were sold in 2021 than in the first 10 years of modern EV sales (from 2010 to 2019).

Now we’re almost seeing that level of sales in one half of a year.

For a full analysis of the data, hop on over to WhichEV.

THE WHICHEV VIEW: Autonomous driving levels explained

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
By:

BMW is taking a giant leap forward in the world of autonomous driving with the launch of its state-of-the-art test site, the Future Mobility Development Centre (FMDC), in Sokolov, Czechia. Representing an investment of 300 million euros, the FMDC is the first of its kind in central Europe and is set to play a pivotal role in BMW’s future mobility development.

Encompassing a vast expanse of 600 hectares, the site is dedicated to the ongoing research and testing of automated driving and parking technologies. Notably, this impressive investment will create over 100 new jobs and, in line with BMW’s commitment to sustainability, will operate entirely on 100 percent green electricity.

Transformed from a former mining region into an innovation hub, the FMDC’s strategic location offers an array of real-world conditions for testing highly and fully automated driving and parking, complementing virtual simulations of driving scenarios. By combining both virtual and real-world testing, BMW aims to meet the stringent safety requirements of its customers effectively. The FMDC joins the ranks of BMW’s existing group of test sites in Aschheim near Munich, Miramas in France, and Arjeplog in Sweden. This facility will be used to help develop future generations of electric car from BMW, Mini and Rolls Royce.

So what is autonomous driving and what do the various levels (from 1 to 5) actually mean in the real world?

Head over to WhichEV for the full lowdown.

THE WHICHEV VIEW: Does LEVC’s Space oriented Architecture point the way for fleets?

 960 640 Guest Post
By:

By WhichEV

LEVC is the original ‘London Black Cab Company’ from the Victorian era – and it’s still making interesting vehicles today. As they move across to electric power trains, so they will expand the variety of vehicles offered – and the range of features included.

Specifically, they have just made the move on a full accessible taxi that has integrated ramps and enough internal space to allow a wheel chair to spin 360 degrees.

Backed by huge Chinese producer Geely (who own Volvo, Lotus, Polestar etc), LEVC is using intelligent design to create a variety of products from common core modules – including Electric Vans.

This ability to create/adapt/innovate comes from the underlying ‘Space Oriented Architecture’, where ‘proven sections’ can be integrated in interesting new ways. LEVC has used this SOA to create the perfect taxi for disabled people in cities.

In the near future, Fleet Managers will be able to take advantage of this kind of design – in order to create the perfect vehicle for their needs.

Everything from cabs and vans to ambulances will be catered for – and not at ‘silly money’.

Read more about this topic over at WhichEV.

The WhichEV View: Volta Trucks signals ambition with new Service Hub in London

 960 640 Guest Post
By:

By WhichEV

Volta Trucks, the all-electric commercial vehicle manufacturer and services provider, has celebrated the official opening of its innovative Truck as a Service Hub in Tottenham, London.

The event was attended by controversial Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan as well as Tottenham MP Rt. Hon. David Lammy, industry leaders, key customers, and stakeholders.

Situated on White Hart Lane in Tottenham, the cutting-edge facility marks the first of its kind in the UK. It is designed to be the primary destination for routine servicing and maintenance of electric vehicles in the London area.

The state-of-the-art hub offers comprehensive support to fleet operators transitioning to electric trucks, featuring administrative offices and a Volta Trucks Academy Training centre, as well as a customer call centre providing round-the-clock assistance and technical support for the trucks that we saw being built during our visit earlier this year.

Read the full story over at WhichEV…