Electric briefs: Latest EV news from SSE, Pod Point, Europcar, LKQ Academy and InsuretheGap

SSE opens new depot charging hub for electric vehicles   

SSE Energy Solutions has opened a new 10-bay electric vehicle (EV) charging hub at its Spa Road depot in Melksham.

As well as being available for public use, the five dual head ultra-rapid 150kW chargers across 10 EV Charging bays, will service SSE’s local fleet of EVs.

SSE plans to build 500 ultra-rapid EV charging hubs powered by traceable, renewable energy in the UK and Ireland by 2030, with several sites already open or under construction including those in Glasgow and Dundee. 

As part of its Net Zero Acceleration Plan, SSE has pledged to transition over 2,500 of its vehicle fleet to electric and install work-based charging points for its 10,000 employees to use. Currently, more than 70% of SSE’s total car fleet is fully electrified. 

Jonathan Richardson, electric vehicle construction manager for SSE, said: “At SSE, we approach EV infrastructure with what we like to call ‘Whole Systems Thinking’.

“This means pursuing every avenue to expand the UK’s charging network - including partnerships with land and property developers, collaborations with local authorities, and, in instances like Melksham, providing publicly-accessible ultra-rapid charging on our own premises.”

He continued: “Our latest project in Melksham will provide valuable learnings as we continue to roll out charging facilities across the UK that support our 10,000-strong workforce as well as local communities and businesses.”

Opinium survey reveals attitudes to EV charging

More than three-quarters (77%) think it is unfair that electric car owners, with no off-street parking, have to pay higher rates at public charging points, according to new research from Opinium.

The survey of 2,000 UK drivers, commissioned by InsuretheGap.com, revealed this is highest amongst under 34s (84%) and drivers living in London (86%).

Only a third (36%) of drivers say they would offer family or friends payment to use their electricity.

Drivers also think they should be able to get free charging points at workplaces (22%), hotels (28%) and supermarkets and shopping centres (22%).

In terms of charging etiquette at public charging points, 12% say they would remove a charging cable from another vehicle (if it was fully charged) and transfer it to their car, with 4% swapping the charging cable anyway from an unattended vehicle if they were in a rush.

One-in-20 (5%) say they would try to cut a queue to charge their car quicker, rising to 11% of under 34s. However, 13% of drivers say they would not want to use a public charger.

“Charging electric cars is probably the major sticking point for many motorists in whether to make that leap to electric car ownership,” says Ross Callander, from InsuretheGap.

“This survey highlights the fairness issue of the haves and the have-nots in electric car ownership, whereby it’s generally more economical for those who can charge at home compared to those who cannot.”

ORA Funky Cat joins Europcar rental fleet 

Europcar has added the ORA Funky Cat, a compact electric car manufactured by Great Wall Motors (GWM), to its fleet.

Now available to hire from 108 locations across the Europcar network, the ORA Funky Cat, which launched in the UK market earlier this year, provides drivers of petrol and diesel vehicles an opportunity to put to the test electric vehicle (EV) ownership as well as test drive the vehicle itself.

“Making the switch from petrol or diesel to an electric car can be daunting, with uncertainty around battery range and charging infrastructure,” said Mark Newberry, Europcar Mobility Group UK commercial director and sustainability spokesperson.

“We want to help drivers feel more informed and able to make that switch, by enabling them to put the full ownership experience to the test and enable them to answer many of their questions.

“Our goal is to help motorists understand how EV ownership can fit their lifestyle ahead of making a long-term commitment.”

Europcar has introduced a range of hybrid and electric cars and vans to its fleet, with the ORA Funky Cat being the latest addition. These vehicles are available for rentals from 1 day up to 3 months from locations around the UK.

First of 50 ultra-rapid EV charging hubs opened 

The first of SSE’s ultra-rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging hubs being built in conjunction with M7 Real Estate have been officially opened by local MP, Sir Brandon Lewis.

The 10-bay hub at Gapton Hall Retail Park in Great Yarmouth features 150kW charge ponts as well as a 22kW charger.

The Gapton Hall hub will represent the first of a potential 50 charging stations installed on sites managed by M7 Real Estate (M7), 20 of those for Oxford Properties following the announcement of a two-year programme of EV infrastructure investment with SSE Energy Solutions. 

A further five hubs will be constructed in the initial phase of the project on locations in Ipswich, Poole, Hayes, Colchester, and Chelmsford.

Kevin Welstead, EV sector director at SSE Energy Solutions, said: “I’m delighted Sir Brandon Lewis was here to open the first of the EV charging hubs we’re developing with M7.

“Gapton Hall is a great example of the sort of hubs that cater to the everyday EV driver, perfectly located to make charging your car straightforward and convenient.

“We’re pressing ahead with our ambitious EV charging infrastructure plans and I look forward to delivering hubs to people right across the UK, both in conjunction with M7 but also with the 500 hubs we plan to build ourselves over the next seven years.”

LKQ Academy commits to training 1,000 EV technicians

LKQ Academy has committed to upskilling another 1,000 technicians in servicing hybrid vehicles (HVs) and electric vehicles (EVs) by the end of 2023.

The pledge follows a successful 12 months for the LKQ Academy, in which it’s trained more than 2,000 technicians in hybrid and EV servicing, maintenance and repair.

Bob Wiffen, workshop solutions director at LKQ Euro Car Parts, said: “The direction of travel on hybrids and EVs is clear – around half of all new cars sold now are plug-in, up from one in 10 vehicles in 2019.

“And although many of the newest vehicles will be maintained by their dealership to start with, there are plenty of hybrids in particular that are in their fourth and fifth years of ownership, and that are coming into the independent aftermarket now.

“Garages that act fast to upskill their workforce will retain their loyal customers as they upgrade to newer, cleaner technologies – at the same time as attracting hybrid and EV drivers from the competition.”

Pod Point to provide EV charging infrastructure for Redrow fleet and new build properties

Pod Point has signed a two-year preferred partnership agreement with residential developer Redrow. 

Under the terms of the contract, Pod Point will supply home charge points for Redrow's residential developments across England and Wales.

Redrow builds over 5,700 new homes each year and the agreement will see Pod Point become a preferred provider of EV charging infrastructure, supplying to all of Redrow’s operating divisions across England and Wales.

The contract also extends to a number of the developer’s offices and sales centres that require the retrofitting of charge points.

Furthermore, Pod Point is supporting Redrow’s commitment to reaching an all-electric car fleet by the end of 2025.

To facilitate this change Pod Point has installed charging infrastructure at Redrow’s divisional offices and the developer has enabled its employees to access preferential rates for Pod Point home charge points.

The partnership builds upon an existing relationship between the two companies, originating in 2018 with a focus on Pod Point providing guidance and infrastructure to support compliance with Local Authority planning conditions.

To date, Pod Point has supplied over 2000 charge points to the housebuilder.

The partnership follows the introduction of new regulations stipulate that all new residential developments in England must have at least one 7kW charge point for each residence with a parking space. 

Stephen Horridge, head of procurement at Redrow, said: "Pod Point's industry-leading products, expertise, and supply chain security make them the ideal partner to meet the rapidly growing demand we’re seeing from customers for EV charging.”

Andy Palmer, CEO of Pod Point, added "Redrow's commitment to enabling more sustainable transport choices aligns with our mission to put a charge point everywhere you park, enabling mass adoption of electric cars and working towards a future where EV charging is accessible and convenient for all.”