This is not a volume market now, but it could be very soon
offices, factories, car parks and domestic environments. As the ECA’s head of Technical Services, Giuliano Digilio, points out: ‘It is the first document on EV charging equipment installation that gives options and recommendations on how to comply with IET Wiring Regulations BS 7671:2008 (2011).’
Catch 22 Frustratingly, the growth of the EV charging infrastructure is considered something of a catch 22 situation. This is something that charging point manufacturers like Eaton are very much aware of, and Philip Dingle, the company’s power utilities and networks segment manager, explains: ‘Without real market sales of EVs, there is no justification for further infrastructure expansion. However, if the infrastructure is not fully in place, people will be reluctant to buy an EV.’ Charging point projects are being undertaken in towns
and cities across the UK, but news that London will have 1,300 of them by 2014 has made the biggest impact. The Source London network of charging points will be a key part of Transport for London’s (TfL) drive to make the city the EV capital of Europe, and Londoners are already beginning to see charging points strategically located across the city.
Eaton’s Pow-R-Station DC Quick Charger
Point of contact There is now an impressive range of charging points available. While the basic technology involves a secure post with one socket accessed by an electronic tag, variations on this are now available. Some of the most common public charging points are
Train to gain
As part of its EVLink brand, Schneider Electric is developing a nationwide network of trained and authorised installers Schneider Electric has a full range of charging
products and solutions for all applications under its EVLink brand, designed for use in the home, on the street and for quick charging demands such as at motorway service areas. All EVLink charging systems are designed for
professional installation by qualified electrical contractors. Installations must comply with the wiring regulations, specific EV guidelines and the codes of practice issued by organisations such as the IET and BEAMA. David Greaves, national business development manager for EV charging solutions at Schneider Electric, says: ‘We are currently making plans to secure a nationwide network of Schneider Electric trained and authorised EVLink installers, and a lot of these will be ECA members.’ There will be a need for different levels of training
across the EVLink range. For installers of the smaller residential products, the training can be delivered in various ways, for example, by online training courses or as part of locally organised events and group training sessions. The larger and more complex systems require the contractor to attend a specific training course at the EVLink training centre in Telford. For more details, visit
www.schneider-electric.com
Elektrobays by Electromotive. They are distinctive, shoulder- high posts with a plug socket mounted near the top. The bays have a yellow coiled power lead that will supply 240V AC at 13 amps, which is compatible with most EVs. Time is of the essence for most motorists, so Eaton’s Pow-
R-Station DC Quick Charger (DCQC), which uses a direct current flow to charge the EV’s battery in 20–30 minutes, is a perfect solution for secure public charging. Product protection is also important, and APT Technologies’ Evolt on-street products are designed to prevent vandalism.
Cold front As well as manufacturing a range of charging points, including its FastCharge, HomeCharge, CombiCharge and DualCharge products, in July 2011 ChargeMaster announced the launch of Polar, a privately funded nationwide EV charging network. Polar will initially be in approximately 100 locations across the UK, providing 4,000 fully installed charging bays by the end of 2012. Explaining the importance of this initiative, David
Martell, chief executive of ChargeMaster, says: ‘For the UK to lead the way in low-carbon motoring there is a real need for a comprehensive, targeted, safe and accessible EV infrastructure. For the British consumer to feel comfortable with switching to EVs, it is plainly obvious that a targeted and comprehensive nationwide charging network is necessary.’ Although the public charging point network is developing,
relatively few EV owners are installing them at home. This is primarily due to the fact that EVs can be charged via a standard 13 amp plug socket. The ECA’s Giuliano Digilio adds: ‘The fact that to install a charging point at home would cost upwards of £1,200 is also preventing greater uptake.’
54 ECA Today March 2012
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