Wincanton trebles depot EV charging capacity in DfT powerbank pilot

Wincanton has demonstrated the ability to increase its depot charging capacity for electric vehicles (EVs) by more than 200% in a month-long Government pilot.

Delivered in partnership with swappable powerbank producer Tual, Connected Places Catapult and the Department for Transport (DfT), the demonstration involved Wincanton electric fleet operations in West London.

Underpinning the duty cycles of 19 large- and medium-sized fully electric vans, Tual’s battery-buffered DC charger, the PowerUp Charger, helped Wincanton deliver an average 4.9 high-power DC charges per day, using an 11kW connection that previously delivered 1.2 low-power (AC) charges per day.

Claire Charlton, head of innovation at Wincanton, said: “On behalf of the whole Wincanton team, I’d like to extend our thanks to Tual for their cutting-edge technology and their professionalism throughout this pilot. 

“Solutions such as Tual’s are central to making our net-zero ambitions happen, and smart innovation is essential for helping businesses expedite the expansion of their fleet electrification, cost-effectively. 

“I would also like to extend my thanks to DfT and Connected Places Catapult for delivering the hugely successful Freight Innovation Fund programme.”

According to Tual’s analysis, 50-80% of sites looking to electrify have constrained or absent grid connections. 

Obtaining the grid upgrades required for high-powered charging make the EV transition unviable for many fleets and commercial landlords. 

They typically take one to three years, with significant upfront capex required – ranging from £150,000 to £3 million, at an average of £500,000, it says.

The PowerUp Charger is designed to make full use of sites’ energy capacity, transforming an unusable site into a viable recharge location overnight. 

The solution draws and stores available grid power when most efficient, while renewable-power sources can be integrated to avoid the need for further battery storage.

Fleet operators and commercial landlords can subsequently deploy the power as required, delivering high-power charging up to 120kW.

Philip Clarke, CEO and founder of Tual: “Myself and the whole Tual team are delighted to see Wincanton and their clients benefit from our battery-buffered DC PowerUp Charger technology – successfully delivering the dependable, cost-effective, and rapidly deployable fast charging that lies at the core of our mission.

“That undertaking is a critically important one in the shift to sustainable fleet operations; businesses across the UK needing to electrify are faced with sites that don’t have the grid capacity to make an efficient transition possible. 

“We’re excited to continue our work in helping fleets to electrify faster, and would like to thank Wincanton for their commitment and passion for innovation in realising that mission.”