Electric briefs: Latest EV news from Osprey, SSE, Tusker, Connected Kerb, DriveElectric, Norfolk County Council and Allstar

SSE begins work to install ultra-rapid electric vehicle charging hubs

Work to install ultra-rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging hubs has begun in joint project between SSE Energy Solutions and real estate agents M7.

SSE Energy Solutions will build sites with between eight and 12 charging bays, with most offering 150kW of charge.

Engineering work is underway at two sites - the Gapton Hall Retail Park in Great Yarmouth and the Euro Retail Park in Ipswich - with work on four more sites expected to begin in the coming weeks.

The new hubs will represent the first round of charging stations installed on sites managed by M7 Real Estate (M7) as part of a two-year programme.

Six sites are to be constructed in the initial phase of the project roll-out with hubs also being installed on locations in Hayes, Chelmsford, Colchester, Poole.

Josh Tyler, asset manager at M7, said: “The instalment of EV charging hubs across a number of our sites is a critical part of our strategy to improve the sustainability of these assets and the overall customer experience.”

SSE Energy Solutions is in ongoing talks with M7 to further expand the project.

New rapid EV charging sites opened by Osprey

Osprey Charging has opened 75kW rapid charge points in Bridgend and Hull this week as it continues to grow its network of electric vehicle (EV) chargers.

High-powered EV chargers have been installed at two pubs in Bridgend, the Cherry Laurel (two chargers) and Llangewydd Arms (three chargers), while three more have been installed at the Willerby Business Park in Hull.

The chargers accept contactless bank cards, Apple/Google Pay, the Osprey App and RFID card payments as well as payments through all major third-party payment methods including fleet cards.

Ian Johnston, CEO of Osprey Charging, said: “The electric transition is well underway and we’re here to provide a reliable and rapid public charging service for drivers, from Cornwall to Scottish Highlands.

“Each of our new locations is carefully designed to maximise space, accessibility and availability of chargers, working to the latest and highest standards.”

Osprey has funded this installation, operation and oversees maintenance of the chargers which are all supplied with renewable energy.

On-street charging network Connected Kerb goes live on Zap-Pay

Connected Kerb has gone live on Zap-Pay – the ninth charge point operator (CPO) to go live on the cross-network payment solution.

It joins live Zap-Pay partners Osprey, ESB Energy, Chargy, GeniePoint, Mer, MFG EV Power, Fastned and Alfa Power.

The completed integration means that a total of almost 7,000 charging devices across the UK are now Zap-Pay enabled.

More integrations and announcements around Zap-Pay are expected to follow over the coming weeks.

Connected Kerb operates a network of around 2,000 chargers covering areas from Aberdeen to Plymouth.

Last year, Connected Kerb announced plans to install 190,000 public on-street EV chargers, worth up to £1.9 billion, by 2030. 

Alex Earl, commercial director at Zapmap, said: “As a nationwide charging provider with charge points at convenient locations such as residential streets and car parks, Connected Kerb is a valuable addition to the Zap-Pay partner network.”

Tusker joins FairCharge campaign to lower VAT on public charging

Tusker has partnered with the FairCharge campaign to reduce VAT on public electric vehicle (EV) charging to help make pricing more affordable and fairer.

EV drivers pay 20% VAT on any electricity supplied by an on-street, public charger, while those with home charging pay just 5%.

FairCharge is campaigning for the Government to lower the cost of public charging which unfairly disadvantages the 38% of households without driveways or private parking.

Paul Gilshan (pictured), Tusker’s CEO said: “We are aware of the charging inequality that exists between those with and without access to home-charging as while EVs are now often more affordable to drive than petrol or diesel equivalents, it is unfair that some drivers are penalised by higher VAT rates simply because they rely on the public charging network.”

FairCharge believes the higher rate of VAT is becoming a growing disincentive to drivers to make the switch and may even be incorrectly applied by HMRC.

ECC UK wins Norfolk council contract to install EV charging infrastructure

Norfolk County Council has awarded Electric Car Chargers UK (ECC UK) a contract to deliver 26 charging points installed at 16 council operated sites.

The network of chargers has been designed to help Norfolk County Council continue the transition of their fleet to electric.

The charging infrastructure will also be made available to non-company car staff, allowing them to charge their electric vehicles at work.

The 12-month contract, which kicks off in May, will see ECC UK deliver a turnkey solution that include 4 DC rapid chargers and 22 fast AC charging sockets.

The charging points will be linked to a central back-office that will allow Norfolk County Council to access full remote management and reporting capability.

ECC UK co-founder Darren Manton said: “Not all drivers have access to charging facilities at their home. In creating a work-based charging network available to all staff and not just their fleet, Norfolk is sending a clear invitation to all of their drivers – why not make switch to EV?”

ECC UK have previously installed charging sockets at the County Hall and Annexe Buildings in Norwich. They will now be installing infrastructure across 12 fire stations, two highway depots, an enterprise park and a library.

DriveElectric launches new EV hub

DriveElectric has launched a new EV hub to complement its electric vehicle leasing offer.

The EV hub aims to allow businesses to view the cost and carbon of electric vehicles (EVs) and their charging in real time.

It includes Charge+ which automatically optimises the energy delivered to an EV, enabling businesses to charge electric vehicles with low carbon electricity.

The DriveElectric EV hub provides a dashboard for a business fleet where they can monitor and manage fleet carbon usage, fleet costs and monitor charging behaviours.

Mike Potter, managing director of DriveElectric, said: “There’s an urgent need for all of us to make rapid progress towards net zero. DriveElectric is helping businesses on this journey by complementing its well-established EV leasing offer with our new EV hub where you can now measure carbon footprint and charging behaviour to make genuine improvements towards a more sustainable business.”

Evyve joins Allstar EV charging network

Allstar has announced that charging provider Evyve has joined its expanding electric vehicle (EV) charging network.

The deal with Evyve further bolsters Allstar’s existing network with an additional 82 locations and 153 chargers. Of that 153, 112 are rapid and 42 are fast chargers.

The latest deal brings Allstar’s total to more than 4,200 charging locations and over 12,100 charge points, of which 97% are fast, rapid and ultra-rapid. 

Tom Rowlands, managing director of Global EV Solutions at Allstar, said: “While we are creating the UK’s largest EV network, we want to ensure that the services we offer are the most valuable, which is why partnering with Evyve is so important.

“Not only are we increasing the number of charge points available on our network but they ensure that minimum time is spent off-road recharging, mitigating time wasted.”