The carbon-free countdown has begun.
A year ago, as part of its much-anticipated clean air plan, the Government pledged to ban the sale of all new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2040. Other proposed innovations included the introduction of “clean air zones” in major UK cities, as well as significant investments in funding air quality schemes, retrofitting high emission vehicles and developing the electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. Then last month came the publication of the government’s ‘Road to Zero’ strategy, including plans to incorporate EV charging points in new housing.
The switch to EV will have the greatest impact on reducing air pollution. But are we ready?
It is expected that more than one million electric vehicles will be on Britain’s roads by 2020 – with scrappage schemes and charging scheme subsidies offering significant start-up incentives to motorists, who could also save around £1000 per year on fuel costs. Yet this will require six times the number of EV charging points than currently exists in the UK.
Installing residential chargers will obviously be a major part of the process, and more regular charging points on motorways and major roads will reduce the ‘range anxiety’ long cited as a barrier to EV take-up. But there is an increasing awareness among employers to assume some of the responsibility for supporting the green transport decisions of their staff.
There are also the very tangible benefits to businesses of increasing footfall or dwell time by having an EV charging system at its premises.
If fleet, facilities or buildings managers are considering EV charging, Rapid Electronics is able to offer a comprehensive installation service.
Rapid has achieved EV Expert partner status with both Schneider Electric and EO, two leading manufacturers of EV charging products. Rapid is also building a countrywide network of experienced commercial EV installers. Through this service Rapid takes care of the whole process of procurement, installation and maintenance. A scalable turn-key solution can be recommended, based around an organisation’s specific needs or traffic patterns, focusing on charging rates, types of equipment (eg. wall or floor mounted) or payment methods.
Bill Lowther, Rapid’s EV Business Development Manager, explains more about the installation process. “Following a customer’s initial enquiry our installers will conduct a site visit which includes a risk assessment and survey. After a quote is issued we appoint a dedicated project manager who will work with the customer through the installation build. Before starting any groundworks we discuss adequate power supplies with mandated authorities such as the Energy Networks Association, check all permissions and submit grant claims for customers applying under the OLEV Workplace Charging Scheme. After commissioning, the system will be rigorously tested and certified. Customers will receive full support in the post-installation period with a same-day field repair and overhaul service and ongoing maintenance.”
To find out more about how Rapid’s EV Charging service could be the solution for your business, please visit
www.rapidonline.com/evcharging. Bill Lowther can be contacted directly by calling 07825 041904 or emailing
Bill.Lowther@rapidonline.com.
www.rapidonline.com/evcharging