UK: Box Energi plans to install 2,500 fast chargers

Box Energi plans to set up a fast-charging network for electric vehicles in the UK with 2,500 locations by 2025, with at least 100 locations expected to be operational by January 2020.

The shop network will operate under the name Drive Energi. The contract to supply the charging stations has also already been awarded: The Australian supplier Tritium is to supply at least 2,500 of its Veefil-RT DC chargers with a charging capacity of 50 kW. In addition, Tritium will provide maintenance and service for the chargers.

Tritium has been chosen because it is “reliable, robust and trustworthy”, said James Moat, CEO of Drive Energi. “These chargers are not only the fastest and most advanced in their class, but incredibly easy to use and, with the world’s smallest physical footprint, to deploy as well – particularly in our cities and high-density areas where space is increasingly limited.”

Two 50kW chargers will be installed at each location, according to a press release. When the expansion is completed in 2025, Drive Energi claims to be the world’s largest DC fast charging network in any country. With the targeted density of fast chargers, the company wants to eliminate EV range anxiety in Great Britain.

However, not all stations will be open to the public. Drive Energi is targeting an unspecified mix of public and private charging stations. The private charging stations are to be installed at companies and help to electrify vehicle fleets.

Drive Energi is not the only fast charging network in the UK. Ionity operates the first stations there with up to 350 kW charging capacity, Fastned currently offers up to 175 kW. BP Chargemaster plans to build up to 400 150 kW HPC chargers, mainly at BP Group fuel stations. These companies do not offer the targeted number of charging points from Drive Energi, but in some cases offer significantly more charging capacity.

Source: Press release via Email