Cardiff-based engineering business Centregreat supports rail infrastructure managers to transform the way customers and employees charge their electrical vehicle (EV) fleets.
Last year, Network Rail became the first railway company to set an approved science-based target aligned to 1.5C global warming. These targets span the whole of its value chain and will require collaboration to reduce carbon emissions from its operations and those of its suppliers and customers.
Though many companies have already begun the transition to EV fleets, uncertainty around costs, planning and the challenges associated with installing new charging infrastructure has led to many fleet managers contemplating where to begin their EV journey.
However, Centregreat has developed a solution that not only takes the hassle out of planning and modelling an EV charging installation but also provides a self-generating energy supply.
Power Port has been described as ‘the most flexible all-in-one Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) on the market’ and is now available for use at railway stations and depots, at a time when the importance of making the switch to clean energy has never been greater.
The most versatile EV charging solution on the market
The Power Port is a revolutionary piece of EVSE technology, powered by solar energy combined with integrated battery storage built into the port’s column. This means less land take for separate battery storage onsite, which in turn means less construction and disruption to your facility. The solar panels reduce energy bills whilst making a significant contribution towards eliminating your business’s carbon footprint.
“With the deadline for the ban of new petrol and diesel car sales fast approaching, more businesses are seeking EV solutions, particularly for their commercial fleets” Centregreat Chairman, Jerome Mathias, explains.
“With our Power Port, businesses can combine solar power with built-in battery storage to charge their EVs in an efficient, cost-saving manner. The technology supports a low-carbon approach and helps businesses monitor their usage, so they maximise their ROI.”
“Importantly, the installation is fully modular and scalable, so businesses can choose to have as many Power Ports as they need, with different charging speeds available. The need for additional battery storage space, typically housed in large container units, is also eliminated, as our batteries are built into the port’s columns.”
Modular and scalable installations
Following a comprehensive survey and PV solution report, Centregreat’s engineering team will present a proposed design that provides the optimal scale and layout to fit your business/fleet’s needs, ensuring both maximum solar energy yield from the PV modules, with minimum disruption during the install. The team’s in-house fabrication division will design and manufacture the car port frames – or any suitable mounting system – to suit architectural needs, incorporating company branding, lighting and CCTV/Help Points as required.
Infrastructure managers that choose Power Port for their EV charging will benefit from an augmented free solar supply onsite. Excess energy can then be used to power building facilities and/or be sold back to the National Grid.
A demonstrable step-change in achieving net-zero
For organisations managing stations, depots and associated facilities, there are many benefits from the adoption of an EVSE solution.
At stations, customers can plug into Power Port to charge their vehicles during the day, while the port’s storage is used overnight, thus minimising Grid usage. Contractors and infrastructure managers working on projects at stations and depots can charge their fleets overnight, using the built-in battery function, so that vans can resume their operations the following morning, fully charged.
“The rail industry will be adapting to the UK’s decarbonisation plans, but the case to act now is compelling from an investment perspective, as well as from a carbon-reduction perspective. Indeed, there is a positive business case for outperforming the targets. Solar Powered EV transition is one of the most obvious steps they can take, and at Centregreat, we can make that process clear, simple and hassle-free. We’ll work with businesses to build an EV charging strategy that fits their size and needs.” Explained Shaun Thompson, Group Business Development Director.
“Generally, if you consider there are over 4 million Light Commercial Vehicle in the UK, which clock up an average c. 14,000 miles pa. Converting the UK fleet to EVs would reduce Co2 emissions by c. 26.4 million tonnes overnight. This is fantastic, but look at the broader cost savings. This average Light Commercial Vehicle – or van – costs about £3700 annually in diesel compared to just c. £650 for electricity for the same mileage.”
“Add to these benefits the ability to generate energy that can be also used to help power your premises and or, sold back to the National Grid, it makes choosing a solar-powered EV charging solution, a much easier investment proposition.”
He adds, “With the addition of Power Port to sites, businesses will make a demonstrable step-change in achieving their net-zero targets in anticipation of the Government’s 2030 deadline as well as mitigating energy price inflation.”
To discuss your Power Port requirements with Centregreat , email: rail@centregreat.net
Photo credit: Centregreat
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