Advertisement feature from Wallbox
Solar panels can provide the answer before costs go through the roof.
The British Government has set an official target for solar power, proposing that the UK develops 70GW of solar generation by 2035 compared with the current figure of 14GW. In other words, the UK’s net-zero prospects call for a “rooftop revolution” to enable the decarbonisation of the country.
According to the latest MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) installations data, there are approximately 1.2 million UK homes with solar panels, which means that just 4.1% of the 29 million UK homes are generating electricity from solar panels. These numbers testify to the country’s steady growth in recent years, with room for improvement in the near future, placing the UK’s progress on par with other countries leading the sustainable transition such as Sweden and Norway. The UK solar market is maturing at a rapid rate, faster than most countries globally. Given their natural synergies, this is providing a huge opportunity for the electric vehicle (EV) charging market.
Primary EV charging method
As 80% of charging takes place at home, as specified by Wallbox, the UK Government is introducing a New Smart Charging Plan for Electric Vehicles, with the aim to make home charging the primary EV charging method within the next two years.
The Government is promoting smart charging as a cost-saving option for EV drivers, as those who do significant miles can save up to £1,000 a year. Aside from individual savings, by unlocking flexibility features, smart charging can relieve pressure on the grid to reduce electric system costs, resulting in savings for all.
It is essential that EVs fit seamlessly into people’s everyday lives and offer direct benefits to the user. What will ultimately democratise and drive EV adoption long-term are smart EV chargers capable of supporting sophisticated energy management systems, particularly those that can integrate EV charging with renewable energy systems like Wallbox’s Eco-Smart.
Wallbox chargers are all built with advanced energy intelligence software which includes their solar charging functionality, Eco-Smart. This feature lets drivers with home PV installations charge their car either entirely with solar power or with excess solar production, making their charge more sustainable and significantly cheaper.
The next step, and what Wallbox sees as the future of EVs is bidirectional charging, which allows you to charge an EV when there is an excess in solar or when the energy is the cheapest, and later discharge power back to the home or grid during hours of peak energy use. A family with a bidirectional EV charger, like Quasar, can easily save ~50% on their home energy bill at average 2022 prices (15ct/kWh off-peak, 32ct/kWh peak), by charging the EV battery when energy is cheaper and using the energy in the home when prices are higher.
As the UK’s electric vehicle adoption increases so, too, will its need for sophisticated, smart EV chargers. Sophisticated intelligence like Wallbox’s Eco-Smart, enables customers to be in control of their energy consumption, live more sustainably and make better use of their rapidly growing investment in solar. Pulsar Max is available for purchase through trusted distributors and electric goods wholesalers in the UK.
For further information visit wallbox.com or contact
Public Relations Manager Elyce Behrsin – press@wallbox.com