Electric briefs: Latest EV news from BP Pulse, Raw Charging, Zest, Edenseven and Carmarthenshire County Council

Free electricity at new Raw Charging ultra rapid charging hubs

Raw Charging is offering electric vehicle (EV) drivers free electricity when filling-up at two new ultra-rapid charging hubs opened by the charge point operator.

A mix of 28 new rapid and ultra-rapid EV charge points have been installed across two retail locations, with the installation of Raw’s largest rapid EV charging hub to date at Junction27 Retail Park, off the M62 in Batley, West Yorkshire.

The site, which opened on Thursday (December 14), contains 10 charging bays with ultra rapid DC 300kW EV chargers and six charging bays with 22kW EV chargers.

Free charging began at 12:01am on Thursday (December 14) and normal fees will resume at 11:59pm on Wednesday (December 20).

The second new site, which opens on Friday, December 22, is located at St George’s Shopping Park, Leicester, off the A594 and A47, contains eight charging bays with ultra rapid 300kW EV chargers and four charging bays with 150kW ultra rapid EV chargers.

Free charging will begin at 12:01am on Friday, December 22, and normal fees will resume at 11:59pm on Thursday, December 28.

Jason Simpson, CEO of Raw Charging, said: “We think it is only fitting to celebrate by offering free charging for a week, especially over the Christmas period, allowing shoppers to do last minute Christmas shopping and go to the boxing day sales all whilst charging for free.”

BP Pulse opens new ultra-fast charging hub

BP Pulse has opened its most powerful charging hub in central London at Q-Park Pimlico in the Borough of Westminster.

The hub features eight ultra-fast 150kW chargers allowing 16 EVs to charge simultaneously.

Akira Kirton, vice president of BP Pulse UK, said: “We have seen ultra-fast charging sessions on the BP Pulse public network in London double over the last two years, so it's clear that there is appetite for this technology.

“At BP Pulse, we’re focused on ultra-fast charging and plan to roll out hundreds of hubs this decade in places EV drivers need them. This new hub in Pimlico is another great example of our strategy in action.”

The chargers will be available to individual customers as well as BP Pulse’s fleet customers, including Uber whose drivers will be able to take advantage of two dedicated charge points at the site.

Carmarthenshire invest £1m in EV charging infrastructure

Carmarthenshire has invested £1 million in rolling out a network of EV charge points across the county in a bid to ensure the sustainability of the tourism sector.

There are now 130 chargers throughout Carmarthenshire, 43 of which are classed as rapid, helping it surpass the Welsh Government’s target of introducing an EV charge point every 20 miles across the nation, with the county having one charge point for every seven miles.

Cabinet member for regeneration, leisure and tourism, Cllr Hazel Evans said: “As a county with some of the most spectacular rural road routes in the country, beloved by the many millions of people who visit each year, we wanted to ensure that we have the EV infrastructure to deliver on the ever-increasing number of electric vehicles on our roads and to remedy the charge-anxiety that many EV owners are reporting.”

Zest opens EV charging at Chandler Motor Company sites

Zest has partnered with Bristol-based fleet dealership, Chandler Motor Company, to introduce EV charging at its premises.

The Temple Meads company is Citroen approved as an aftersales dealership, specialising in repair and maintenance.

Chandlers also provides London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVCs) vans, which produces electric London black cabs, and police and fire service vans.

In the summer, it also announced a partnership with West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service to support their ambitious EV rollout across the county.

Peter Chandler, managing director of Chandler Motor Company, said: “Serving vehicles that we maintain and repair, our charge points will also benefit the residential community, taxis, emergency services and other drivers visiting this part of the city.”

Zest CEO, Robin Heap said: “It is great to see Chandlers embracing EV charging provision in this way given the significant role it delivers within the motor industry.”

Zest worked with contractors Adler and Allan to complete the installation work.

Edenseven launch integrated end-to-end fleet electrification service

Edenseven has launched an end-to-end fleet electrification service, from data analysis to implementation.

‘Electric Fleet Solutions, driven by Edenseven’, aims to take the hassle out of transitioning to EVs, it says.

Simon King, partner at Edenseven, said: “We know from our years of implementing electric fleet solutions and supporting clients that the biggest barrier to faster electrification is complexity. 

“A completely new fuel needs a radically different approach, focused on infrastructure. 

“Customers struggle with everything from data, to business cases, to suppliers and implementation.  Electric Fleet Solutions takes those problems away, with Edenseven managing the whole transition whilst working hand in hand with stakeholders.”

Pete Nisbet, managing partner at Edenseven, added: “With transport being the largest GHG emitting sector and 64% of new vehicle sales going to businesses, accelerating the transition to zero carbon fleet is fundamental.  It reduces cost for organisations, lowers emissions and primes the second-hand market with EVs.”