Aston Barclay appoints Radius for UK-wide EV charging project

Aston Barclay has appointed Radius to develop its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.

The vehicle auction and remarketing supplier has chosen Radius to help support its aim of achieving Electric Vehicle Approved (EVA) accreditation across its six sites in 2024, having already attained this accreditation for its Donington Park centre in Derby.

Radius will oversee the installation of charge points that will be compliant with PAS:1899, the standard which ensures charge points are accessible to all, consider the local environment and are aligned with placement, information provision and design standards.

Albert Parnell, group EV lead at Aston Barclay said: “As an organisation, we understand the need to adapt to a more EV-focused landscape, and we have invested heavily in marketing and training around electric vehicles for our colleagues, customers and partners, so the Radius partnership, which will improve the infrastructure across all of our sites, feels like the natural next step.

“We are looking forward to working with the team and utilising its expertise to provide a best-in-class experience for EV users across our sites.”

Radius’ partnership with Aston Barclay follows a £10 million investment into its EV division.  

After Radius acquired two EV solution companies, the funding was allocated in 2023 to invest in charging hardware and grow the division’s talented team.

Ben Thompson, managing director for EV and Energy at Radius, said: “We will oversee the design and implementation of EV charging solutions that suit the business not only now, but well into the future.”

The EV charging rollout will begin in early 2024 at Aston Barclay’s Wakefield centre, and plans are in place for further works throughout the year.

EO Charging launches energy management solution for fleets 

EO Charging has launched the EO Hub, an energy management system (EMS) which automates load management for all AC and DC charging stations inside a single depot.

The EO Hub optimises grid connections, protects against outages through active load management (ALM) and can help fleet operators reduce charging costs, says EO.

It can integrate with an onsite meter or building management system to calculate the available power on-site and automatically distribute power to priority vehicles.

It also supports the management of energy consumption, enabling fleets to maximise the use of off-peak energy tariffs.

Charlie Jardine (pictured above), CEO of EO Charging, said: “As EV fleets mature, we have seen the challenges they are faced with when it comes to energy and load management requirements. This is why we have developed EO Hub, which is an onsite energy management system and supports fleet managers by automating energy distribution across the site.”

The first installation of EO Hub was at Go-Ahed Croydon with the aim to aid with restricted power on site.

Jardine continued: “EO Hub has enabled Go-Ahead Croydon to nearly double the number of electric buses operating on site by implementing effective load management.

“EO Hub is an intelligent solution that not only helps current electric fleet operators, but also those looking to transition their fleets to electric by mitigating the need to upgrade the grid connection, whilst reducing ongoing energy costs through smart charging.”

InstaVolt bolsters Plugsurfing’s network with 1,400 additional chargers

InstaVolt has partnered with Plugsurfing adding 1,400 nationwide InstaVolt charge points to Plugsurfing’s existing network of nearly 30,000 charge points in the UK and over 600,000 in Europe.

EV drivers can use Plugsurfing to search for, access, and pay for charging as well as plan their route.

Adrian Keen, CEO of InstaVolt, said: “Plugsurfing’s ethos very much aligns with our own – improve the charging experience for everyone and support the national transition to EVs.

“Our main goal is to make our chargers easily accessible to new and existing drivers, and it doesn’t get much simpler than accessing them through your car’s integrated navigation system or favourite apps.”

Tom Rowlands, CEO of Plugsurfing, added: “At our core, we want to help make EV charging easy and carefree for drivers. Now that our drivers have access to one of the largest public charging networks in the UK, they can easily plan their journeys and pay for charging.”

Plugsurfing is part of the global business payments company Fleetcor.

Fuel Store offers new EV charge card

The Fuel Store has added an electric vehicle (EV) charge card to its range of fuel cards.

The Paua card is compatible with more than 43,000 EV charge point connectors and offers users access to 73% of the UK’s rapid charging network.

Jamie Bridgen, CEO of The Fuel Store, said: “We are thrilled to have teamed up with Paua to offer an EV charge card to our customers.

“According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders  https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/three-out-of-every-four-new-electric-vehicles-registered-to-fleets in November last year 77.4% of the new BEVs (battery electric vehicles) on the road were fleet or business-owned, so the market is undoubtedly growing.

“By adding Paua to our range of options, we are now able to assist businesses in seamlessly transitioning their fleets to electric vehicles, while still having access to the customer support and fleet management tools that we have become known for.”

The Fuel Store also offers a range of diesel fuel cards, with options covering supermarkets and major fuel suppliers.

Niall Riddell, CEO at Paua, said: "Collaborating with The Fuel Store is a significant milestone in enabling multi-fuel fleets to access the UK's largest EV charge card whilst continuing to fuel their diesel vehicles.

“This partnership aligns with our mission to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and empower businesses with sustainable, cost-effective fleet management solutions."

Nepo launches EV charging procurement framework agreement

Nepo has launched a new electric vehicle (EV) charging procurement framework agreement framework for local authorities and public sector organisations across the UK.

Suppliers available through the solution include AMP EV, Apcoa, Believ, Connected Kerb, Equans, Swarco UK, Ubitricity and Zest.

Nepo says it will work with the Mayoral Combined Authorities and local councils to ensure the new framework agreement delivers the wider economic and environmental ambitions in the region by working with suppliers to develop social value commitments that further reduce carbon emissions, improve skills and support local communities.

Steven Sinclair, procurement and commercial director at Nepo, said: “We're delighted to introduce a groundbreaking solution for the public sector to deliver the EV charging infrastructure needed across the North East and UK.

“By working with Nepo member authorities and Transport North East, our framework offers contracting authorities unparalleled access to flexible EV charging solutions.

“This not only empowers local authorities and the wider public sector to meet their environmental commitments but also propels the nation towards a net-zero future.”

Tobyn Hughes, managing director of Transport North East, added: “Nepo’s innovative new electric vehicle charging infrastructure solution will help to deliver a step change in the pace of EV charge-point roll out across the North East.”