Advertisement feature from Wallbox
By Alan McCleave, UK and Ireland Country Director Wallbox
The UK is in a transition to a more sustainable future. Naturally, there is a large focus on Electric Vehicles (EVs), but EVs will only be successful if there is the necessary charging infrastructure to support this transition. The Climate Change Committee estimates that there will be 18 million EVs in the UK by 2030 and the UK Government has committed to end the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030, putting the UK on course to be the fastest G7 country to decarbonise cars and vans. In March this year, the Office for Budget Responsibility increased its forecasts for the share of EVs to 59% in 2026-27, up from 29% in its October 2021 outlook. This would put the UK on a similar path witnessed in Norway six years ago, which now has over 90% EV penetration.
What this means is that we need electric vehicle charging infrastructure now, and a significant quantity to support the growing number of EVs and also the different categories of EV owners, for example people without off street parking (to install a home charger) at their home.
It is our belief that the way people power their car is changing. No longer are people having to wait at a petrol station on the side of an A Road or motorway. It also opens up an opportunity for people with off-site parking to charge their car in the same way they charge their phone or laptop – in the comfort of their own home.
Drivers of the future are going to want to charge their EV’s at home or near to home or maybe at their workplace. Currently around 80% of plug-in drivers already charge at home, meaning they start each day with the desired level of energy already in their car. This is because at home you are in control, you manage your charger and you control the energy management system (when, what price you pay, whether to include solar generated energy), saving you money at a time when energy prices have never been higher.
Dealers have a vital role to play in this transition and not just for helping people choose the right EV. Dealers are part of the educational process that is required to help customers make the right choices that suit their individual lifestyles. Customers are looking to their dealer to help them choose a charging point for their home or maybe ideas for how they could charge the vehicle, where they may not have access to a charger at their home?
At Wallbox we know that a good charging experience is key to an EV driver’s experience to help them settle into their new life of zero emission driving. For that reason we believe the future is in user centric home charging as well as simplified on the go Rapid Charging. Our Pulsar Max is a sophisticated home charger that allows EV drivers to control more than just charging. With its easy to use integrated energy management app the charger becomes a central point of the user’s smart home and can improve consumers’ day-to-day lifestyle, reduce their utility costs and allow them to live more sustainably.
Equally Wallbox’s new Supernova DC Rapid Charger allows split charging from one unit, meaning 2 people can use the rapid charging facility at the same time, compared to many Rapid chargers that only support one vehicle at a time. This approach will support people who need a Rapid charge on the go or maybe get a rapid charge at the beginning or end of the day to support their daily plans, where charging at home is not an option.
Wallbox also has business chargers that support charging in the workplace, to support people getting to and from work or to support those who cannot charge at home.
The technology is ready, the customer demand is there, and Governments are making important decisions to enable a pathway to zero emissions. At Wallbox we have solutions to meet the needs and to support all households.Wallbox are excited by the future as the sector grows globally. The UK is a leading EV market and what we can achieve collectively in this country will be replicated all over the world as the EV revolution continues at a pace.
For more information, please contact Elyce Behrsin, Public Relations Manager, by email: [email protected]