HEALTHCARE EV CHARGING SYSTEMS
Sara Sloman and Paythru
Paythru advises: ‘Think of the user experience as separate – as a digital platform in the cloud that is lifted away from the physical charger.’
them on Zapmap, and setting times when they appear as available, or setting up a separate payment system so that approved third-party vehicles can use them at certain times.
Payments ‘not as simple as they seem’ The key learning here is that payments – and the whole user experience that goes with them – are not as simple as they might seem. With so many parts (chargepoints, apps, parking spaces etc.) and players (CPOs, different departments at local authorities), it’s important to embrace technologies that can handle this, and set yourself up to manage infrastructure that will inevitably evolve. The buzzword in the tech industry is
‘platform’ – in layman’s terms this is the bit that sits in the middle and makes everything else work. Think of Uber. It does not itself provide a physical service; rather it offers a cloud platform that connects drivers and passengers. Both share their data; both have their own version of the app. The platform handles the locating, communication, and payment split, and can change prices and cater for different users’ needs and different times while all being seamless for the user. Similar types of platforms can handle the complex relationships between EV chargepoints, car parks, and drivers.
Retrofitting card readers It’s also worth mentioning that the proposed retrofitting of contactless card readers onto EV charging hardware by the UK government could have unintended consequences and limitations that could have detrimental effects on the EV industry’s progress, and unforeseen environmental concerns, not just for healthcare estates, but for wider applications too. Government may therefore want to consider including
118 Health Estate Journal October 2023
the development of cloud-based and roaming payment systems as an option for payment alongside contactless or as an alternative. Closed networks that require pre-registered membership or exclusivity should be urgently reassessed, as they exclude new users from being able to access vital charging when needed. Cloud-based and roaming payment systems should also become accepted as part of the customer experience alongside contactless, to future-proof the EV industry.
Undoubtedly hospitals, medical
centres, and clinics, and their Estates and Facilities managers, can install and manage an efficient charging infrastructure, simultaneously solidifying their commitment to patient care and environmental responsibility. Too often though the sole focus is on getting enough chargers in the ground. This is important, but it should not be done at the expense of a smooth experience for all users. To support their estates to transition to clean mobility, Estates and Facilities managers should carefully consider the different user experiences at the change point, and the role that innovative digital solutions can have in enabling that.
Sara Sloman, Chief Strategy Officer, is the driving force behind the strategic direction of Paythru, leveraging her extensive experience in delivering sustainable transport projects in both the private and public sectors over the past two decades. Her expertise enables her to lead the development and implementation of effective EV strategies. In recognition of her contributions to the field, she was honoured as GreenFleet EV Champion in 2018, and has consistently been included on the GreenFleet ‘100 Most Influential’ list since 2019, achieving the number 32 position in 2023. Her dedication to sustainability, ESG, diversity, and inclusion, earned her the Barbara Cox Woman of the Year award in 2023.
Paythru says its ‘highly
customisable’ cloud-based payment platform ‘overcomes charging pain points by putting drivers at the centre of the charging experience’. The company said: “By moving the chargepoint payment into our cloud platform, we lift the user experience away from the physical chargepoint. That allows behind-the-scenes integration with other parties, whilst providing a single clear transaction for the user.”
Paythru says: ‘Undoubtedly hospitals, medical centres, and clinics, and their Estates and Facilities managers, can install and manage an efficient charging infrastructure.’
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