Europcar increases electric vehicle choice

Europcar Mobility Group has increased its UK electric fleet with the addition of a range of high-spec Mercedes Benz models.

The three new models, available from locations across the UK to business and private motorists for both short-term hire and longer-term rental, are the EQA 250 AMG Line Premium, EQC 400 4MATIC AMG Line and EQE 300 AMG Line Saloon.

The new additions will support Europcar’s ‘One Sustainable Fleet’ programme, which aims to have at least 20% of its vehicles emitting less than 50g/km of CO2 by the end of 2024.

Mark Newberry, Europcar Mobility Group UK’s commercial director and sustainability spokesperson, said: “We now have EVs of almost every size, shape and spec on our fleet. And the addition of these three new models ensures we can help the widest range of drivers to choose an electric vehicle for their next rental, removing another barrier to those considering making the switch from petrol or diesel.

“At Europcar we are committed to helping drivers adapt to the future of electric driving as soon as possible. And try-before-you-buy EV rental demonstrates that many of the perceived challenges with electric cars are far less significant than expected.”

Europcar has also adapted its customer support for electric vehicles (EVs), with a digital EV guide helping drivers understand the best vehicle for their journey and an option for CO2 reporting for insight into emissions reduction among the enhancements introduced. 

City of London Corporation to upgrade electric vehicle charge points

The City of London Corporation has given the go-ahead for Qwello UK to undertake a full upgrade of the Square Mile’s electric vehicle charge points.

The 11kW charging points offer contactless payment, a reservation service via the Qwello app, 24-7 customer support and an integrated retractable cable with a Type 2 plug, which is compatible with all European and US EV-connection standards.

Works are scheduled to begin from today (Monday, August 7) and will be completed in phases across the City’s owned car parks, including:

Martin Hale, managing director of Qwello UK, said: “We are very proud to have been selected to upgrade the charging points at these prestigious locations with the same solutions being enjoyed by other European cities such as Stockholm, Berlin, Frankfurt and Madrid.

“This builds on our other recent contract success where we’ve won on our core principles such as putting the driver first, high operational uptime, preventing nuisance parking, meeting accessibility standards and adding local social value.” 

Mer announces ultra rapid EV charging bays

Mer has entered into an agreement to provide six ultra rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging bays at forecourt operator AY&Y Patel Group’s Roseville Road forecourt in Leeds.

The 15-year agreement will see Mer deliver a fully-funded, turnkey forecourt EV charging solution comprising three Alpitronic 400kW charge points for six EV charging bays.

Mer will also provide services to supply, install, operate and maintain the charge points.

Karl Anders, managing director of Mer UK said: “It is really rewarding to work with forward-thinking forecourt operators like AY&Y Patel who are taking positive steps to make sure they are ready for the transition to EVs.

“We are proud to support AY&Y Patel on their journey and look forward to working with them to develop their EV charging facilities at Roseville Road and other suitable sites.”

The three Alpitronic Hyperchargers each feature dynamic charging and contactless payment as required by the Government’s regulation for payment interoperability at public charge points.

Yakub Patel, director at AY&Y Patel Group, said: “In Mer, we have carefully chosen a charge point operator who understands our objectives and our commitment to sustainability.

“The charge points from Mer will prove an excellent option for EV drivers travelling in Leeds.”

OVO saves customers more than £1m in six months

OVO says its Charge Anytime customers have cut more than £1 million off their electric vehicle (EV) charging bills in just six months.

On average, Charge Anytime customers saved £129 per month and OVO’s biggest saver has cut their EV charging costs by more than £1,800 so far this year. 

Customers completed more than 5 million kWh of smart charging, powering over 15 million miles.

Charge Anytime has helped to deliver total carbon savings of 33 tonnes since January by automatically shifting EV charging out of peak times (typically 4-7pm) to periods when the grid is greener.

Charge Anytime is an intelligent add-on, which gives customers access to a smart charging rate of 10p per kWh (3p a mile) at any time of day - three times cheaper than the national average (30p per kWh) and seven times cheaper than public charge points.

Powered by Kaluza’s smart technology, the add-on works by automatically optimising cars to charge when emissions and prices are low.

By splitting customers’ home energy and EV energy usage, Charge Anytime users can save 67% on charging costs, Ovo claims. 

Alex Thwaites, director of EV at OVO, said: “It’s incredible to see the impact Charge Anytime is making for people and the planet.

“By using smart technology to shift EV charging out of peak times when the grid is more reliant on fossil fuels, we’re able to provide greener, cheaper energy for customers. 

“We want to make charging EVs as affordable and easy as possible. That’s why we’ve made our super low charging rate available at any time of day.”

En-route charging network Evyve goes live on Zapmap payment solution

En-route electric vehicle (EV) charging network Evyve is the tenth network to go live on Zap-Pay, the simple way to pay for EV charging across networks from Zapmap.

As of last week Evyve, with its network of predominantly rapid chargers, is now fully up and running on Zap-Pay.

The completed integration means that ten charge point operators across the UK are now Zap-Pay enabled.

Evyve joins live Zap-Pay partners Osprey, ESB Energy, char.gy, GeniePoint, Mer, MFG EV Power, Fastned, Alfa Power and Connected Kerb on the system.

The charging provider currently operates more than 200 chargers covering areas from Aberdeen to Eastbourne – primarily at retail and leisure outlets, business parks and restaurants – following partnerships with Greene King and Peel L&P.

Alex Earl, commercial director at Zapmap, said: “With usage levels of Zap-Pay continually increasing, we expect to see Zap-Pay utilisation jump still further as the summer progresses.

“The addition of another nationwide charging provider will certainly be of great value for electric car drivers, whether they’re undertaking longer journeys or simply topping up at their destination.”

James Moat, CEO of Evyve, added: “We are pleased to see this integration go live and delighted to finally add our network to the Zap-Pay platform.

“We already consider Zapmap an important partner for charge point identification and route planning, but it is great to see progressive tools such as Zap-Pay being developed in-house to really tie the offering together and provide a great mobility service to the public.”

More integrations and announcements around Zap-Pay are expected to follow over the coming weeks and months.