Electric fleet briefs: Latest from MFG, Fastned, Believ, Mer, Zaptec and SMS

MFG passes 500 ultra-rapid electric vehicle charger milestone

MFG has hit the milestone of installing 500 ultra-rapid electric vehicle (EV) chargers across a network of 112 hubs throughout the UK.  

The company has committed to a £400 million investment in ultra-rapid 150kW, 300kW and 400kW EV Chargers.

In 2023 alone, MFG has installed 230 ultra-rapid EV chargers at 59 locations across its network.

The hubs consist of between four and eight ultra-rapid 150kW EV Chargers per site. These will be augmented with 300kW and 400kW chargers as vehicle battery technology improves.

William Bannister, CEO of MFG, said: “When we launched our EV roll-out in March 2021 we committed to investing ahead of the curve in ultra-rapid chargers. I am therefore delighted that we have already passed the 500 ultra-rapid charger milestone and we are well on the way to delivering the next 500.

“Not only are we rolling-out chargers at a rapid pace, we are also ensuring that the customer experience is of the highest quality both through the ease of use of our chargers but also through the upgrade of our retail offering.

“Our commitment to EV is unwavering and I look forward to the continued growth of our network as MFG meets the national EV infrastructure requirement.”

Half of EV drivers would not stay at a hotel without onsite charging

UK hotels that fail to offer onsite electric vehicle (EV) charging risk driving away guests, a new report from SMS has revealed.

More than two-thirds (67%) of respondents to a survey said charge point availability influences their choice of hotel, with almost half (48%) of UK EV drivers simply choosing not to stay at a hotel without onsite charging.

The study of more than 1,000 UK EV drivers by SMS explores the current experience of those who use, and rely on, public EV charge points.

Almost a third (29%) of UK EV drivers had used hotel EV charge points during an overnight stay for leisure and the same figure (29%) for business travellers. 

More than a third (38%) would consider a wait of up to an hour, and a quarter (26%) up to two hours. However, more than three-quarters (77%) are willing to pay for an EV concierge service at a hotel in order to limit the inconvenience caused by waiting.

Mark Winn, head of EV strategy at SMS, said: “By offering convenient and seamless EV charging options, both independent hotels and the larger hotel groups can encourage guests to return and increase brand loyalty.”

Fastned brings second charging hub to the south-west

Fastned has opened its second ultra-rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging station in the south-west of England. 

The site, in Swindon, Wiltshire is based at Barnfield Close, off the B4006, and situated next to a Starbucks, Subway and Travelodge. 

Four charging bays at the site will be fully operational from launch and are supplied by 100% renewable energy.

The site is capable of hosting up to ten charging bays in the future. 

Tom Hurst, UK country manager for Fastned, said: “This is our second site in the region and we look forward to welcoming drivers to our highly visible, easy-to-use ultra rapid charging site.”

The launch means Fastned now has 17 stations in the UK, with two in the South West. The Melksham site, based at Commerce Way, just off the A350, recently opened and features six charging bays.

Knight Frank partners with Mer to offer EV charging at commercial properties

Knight Frank Investment Management (KFIM) has deal with Mer to deliver electric vehicle (EV) charging to its commercial tenants.

Mer aims to install charge points across more than 100 of KFIM’s client-owned sites in the UK.

Karl Anders, managing director at Mer UK, said: “Following an in-depth tender process, it is a privilege to become the exclusive EV charging partner for a leading real estate investment manager. “KFIM’s decision to partner with Mer highlights its proactive commitment to providing innovative property solutions as we move into the new electric era.”

Mer will aim to install approximately 450 sockets across the company’s UK-wide portfolio, with a mixture of rapid and ultra-rapid charge points available for public use.

Matt Simmonds, from KFIM, added: “After recognising that reliable and future-fit EV charging infrastructure is becoming an increasingly in-demand asset of commercial properties, it was important that we partnered with an experienced charge point operator who understands the complex needs of our portfolio of sites.

“Mer’s charge points will help us provide an essential service to our tenants and visitors, and we are looking forward to working with Mer in the roll out of charging infrastructure in the coming months.”

Mer will begin in 2023 with 14 of KFIM client sites, which will each have six charging bays offering ultra rapid charging.

North Northamptonshire Council strengthens electric vehicle charging network

North Northamptonshire Council has partnered with Believ to install 32 more electric vehicle (EV) charge points across 17 sites.

The installation is part of an ongoing project to provide on-street public chargers for residents without driveways or off-road parking, with these charge points going live in the next few weeks. 

All locations include dedicated bays for EV charging only.

Cllr Matt Binley, North Northamptonshire Council’s executive member for Highways, travel and assets, said: “The 32 new charging points will make a real difference to residents and mean that more people have a charging point nearby, especially important as we aim to be carbon neutral.”

Believe owns, operates and maintains the charge points, which will be delivered via its strategic delivery partner Virgin Media O2.  

Perran Moon, interim CEO of Believ, said: “The business is proud to support the council in its latest initiative to accelerate EV adoption in the region:”

Zaptec announces deals with three Scottish housebuilders

Zaptec has completed on three landmark multi-year deals with Scottish housebuilders to become their preferred supplier.

The leading property developers include Whiteburn Projects, Kirkwood Homes and Cala Group, all of which will now use the Zaptec Go charger as one of their chosen charging products for the duration of the multi-year deals.

The Cala Group, Whiteburn Projects and Kirkwood Homes agreements are both on-going exclusive partnerships between the housebuilders and Zaptec for provision of EV charging points in their Scottish developments. Areas covered include Aberdeenshire, Alford, Dundee, Fife, Kirkcaldy and Kirkwood.  

Joe Stenhouse, business development manager in Scotland for Zaptec, said: “We’re delighted to announce a trio of Scottish housebuilder deals.

“The quality and quantity of housebuilders that Zaptec is doing deals with shows that we are committed to Scotland and to ensuring that people in Scotland can have access to some of the best EV chargers on the market as Scotland looks to make the transition to EVs.”

Founded in 2012 in Norway, Zaptec initially provided technology to aid space missions for NASA until, in 2016, the company decided to focus on producing and selling EV chargers.

Since then, it has accrued 50% market share in its home country, while steadily expanding into new territories like Scotland, which it entered in August 2021.