Electric briefs: Latest EV news from Kerbo Charge, Progreen, Lidl, Freenow, BP, Surrey County Council and 3ti

Council completes ‘successful’ trial of charging for motorists without driveways

Milton Keynes City Council is extending an electric car charging trial which unlocks home charging for motorists without driveways.

In partnership with Kerbo Charge, the city council initially trialled ‘through-pavement channels’ for six families who do not have access to off street parking.

The trial is now being extended for up to 100 electric vehicle users in Milton Keynes.

Kerbo Charge can be installed in tarmac or stone pavements. The slim, narrow channel (30mm deep, 42mm wide) with a hinged lid is dug directly outside the customer’s home and removes the trip hazards caused by trailing cables.

Cabinet member for public realm, Cllr Jennifer Wilson-Marklew, said: “This extended trial enables our residents to home charge when they do not have a driveway, giving them the confidence to switch to a low-emission lifestyle which helps us meet our sustainability targets.”

Kerbo Charge co-founder, Michael Goulden, added: “We’re delighted that Milton Keynes City Council is making home charging accessible to residents with street parking across the city.”

Pop-up solar EV charging hub supports council’s electric fleet

Surrey County Council has installed a ‘pop-up’ solar electric vehicle (EV) charging hub from 3ti to support its fleet.

Each Papilio3 has an installed capacity of 19.3kWp and can produce up to 18MWh of electricity in year one, equivalent to 64,343 EV miles, saving 3.6 tCO2e.

It combines local mains power with solar and is built around a recycled shipping container that can be installed in under eight hours. can fast charge 12 EVs at 7, 11 or 22kW simultaneously.

Pre-fitted with a range of safety features, including motion lighting, CCTV and full accessibility for wheelchair users, Papilio3 can be rented on a monthly basis from 3ti. Surrey County Council has agreed a three-year hire.

Paul Wheadon, strategic contract group manager for the council’s highways and transport department, said: “With charging capacity up to 22kW, multiple operational vehicles (when not in use) can be charged throughout the day, ensuring vehicles remain operational without the need for long dwell times on low-powered charging options. 

“As well as the benefit of generating solar power to charge our fleet, the nature of the structure means we have the flexibility to conveniently relocate the unit elsewhere on the site in the future if needed, unlike with other charging solutions.”

Ben Marchant, CEO at 3ti, added: "The installation of Papilio3 at the council depot centre is enabling the council to expand its electric fleet and deliver on its commitments to securing a greener future by decarbonising the transport sector.”

Progreen delivers Ford e-Transit refrigerated vans

Fairfax Meadow has taken delivery of its first electric vehicles from ProGreen, the sustainable vehicle hire and alternative fuels division of Prohire.

Delivered as the UK’s biggest foodservice catering butcher celebrates its 50th anniversary, the two Ford e-Transit refrigerated vans will operate within London’s ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ).

The bespoke vans, which have been designed and managed through the production process by ProGreen, have been supplied on long term contract hire, including full repair and management.

The vehicles feature a Solomon Insulated body and a refrigeration system from GAH capable of dealing with both chilled and frozen meat products.

ProGreen has also fitted Geotab telematics to both vehicles which will enable Fairfax Meadow to monitor driver behaviour and report on CO2 savings.

The systems will also allow ProGreen to provide remote fault diagnosis, tracking and accident detention to ensure optimum performance. Full driver training will be provided by Prohire training academy, ProCademy.

Penny Tomlinson, managing director of Fairfax Meadow, said: “From the outset, Prohire stood out as a knowledgeable and enthusiastic EV fleet supplier and, with their support, we’ve taken our first steps on the EV journey as part of our sustainability plan.

“The new EVs are an important part of future proofing our business, from an environmental, cost management and customer perspective.”

Michelle Miles, head of ProGreen, added: “We’ve worked closely with Fairfax Meadow every step of the way, to make sure these first electric vehicles hit every aspect of their brief.”

Following full site surveys at Fairfax Meadow’s London depot, ProGreen also managed the installation of the charging infrastructure for the electric vehicles by Mer UK.

Lidl integrates EV payments in rewards app

Lidl customers charging an EV while shopping will be able to pay via the Lidl Plus rewards app.

Currently provided through Pod Point, the transition will start to take place this summer and is due to be completed across all of Lidl’s 370-plus charge points nationwide by the end of the year.

Lidl started rolling out electric vehicle charging points across its store network in 2017 and has invested more than £15 million into its charging infrastructure in that time.

Richard Taylor, chief development officer at Lidl, said: “I’m incredibly proud of the investment that we’ve made into our EV charging infrastructure over the years, going above and beyond the sector to give greater access to rapid charging.”

Customers will be notified via the Pod Point app when the switch over will start and will be able to access full instructions via the charging terminals.

Freenow partners BP to support drivers with EV charging

Taxi app Freenow has partnered with BP to support drivers on its platform by providing additional up to 25% off pay-as-you-go (PAYG) rates across the entire BP Pulse electric charging network.

Currently, 70% of Freenow’s taxi trips in the UK are done with zero-emission capable black cabs and this percentage is expected to grow as more drivers switch to EV vehicles in the upcoming years.

Freenow is also including fuel discounts as part of the agreement with BP. 

Andrew Hurdle, network commercial director at BP Pulse, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Freenow to offer their drivers discounted EV charging and fuel through the BP Fuel and Charge Card, helping more drivers make the switch to electric with access to our network of on-the-go charging.”

Nour Rasamny, head of operations at Ffreenow UK, said: “While we offer a wide range of EV taxi options to our passengers we also want to continue to support drivers with EV charging.

“This collaboration with bp pulse allows us to offer drivers on the Freenow app a great package that ensures they have access to EV charging while also supporting drivers who weren’t yet able to make the transition to an EV with fuel discounts and other perks.”