Author: Pranav Jaswani, Technology Analyst at IDTechEx The construction machine industry is still in its early stages of electrification, with the first small electric machine only coming onto the market in 2015. However, IDTechEx’s new report, “Electric Vehicles in Construction 2024-2044: Technologies, Players, Forecasts”, highlights how the electric machines of
Milence, the joint venture between Daimler Truck, the TRATON GROUP, and Volvo Group, announces the development of its first charging hub in the UK. Construction has now commenced and is underway, with the hub scheduled to be operational with the completion of the first phase in November 2024. Strategically located
Osprey Charging, one of the UK’s leading electric vehicle (EV) charging networks, has completed the freehold purchase of a two-acre plot at Twyford Services on the A46, near Evesham. This strategic acquisition will enable the development of a class-leading EV charging hub, with planning permission and grid connection for 16
One of Scotland’s pioneering suppliers of EV infrastructure, FOR EV, has further expanded its team with the appointment of Graham Neill as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Supporting businesses in their transition to electric fleets through its bespoke ‘FOR Fleets’ proposition, FOR EV is paving the way for sustainable change
Chemstore, the leading expert in hazardous materials storage and a trusted specialist in lithium-ion battery safety, has introduced the BSK1 – Battery Charging and Transport Case. This innovative solution ensures the safe charging, storage, and transport of lithium-ion batteries. The BSK-1 fire has been developed to meet the highest safety standards for
Osprey Charging, the UK’s leading and fastest-growing EV rapid-charging network, has released research confirming that nearly nine in ten UK commercial landlords (87%) surveyed feel that installing public EV charging at their sites is important for attracting new; and retaining existing customers (86%). After polling 500 commercial landlords across the
Loughborough, UK: Energy engineering solutions provider BRUSH Group has opened a multi-million-pound world-class transformer test cell facility at its transformer manufacturing facility in Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK. The facility, housed in a huge former workshop at the firm’s iconic Falcon Works in the Leicestershire town, will put newly built power transformers
Henkel has further expanded the portfolio of its industrial internet of things (IIoT) solution Loctite Pulse by launching two novel innovative offerings: Smart Rotating Equipment Monitoring and Smart Pipes and Tanks Leak Detection. These cutting-edge solutions mark another milestone in the company’s commitment to expanding its broad Maintenance Repair and
A new study from Juniper Research, the foremost experts in smart cities markets, found the total number of EV (Electric Vehicle) charging points globally will grow by 194% over the next five years; rising from 21.8 million in 2024. The research found private EV sales have slowed in the last
Fastned, the European fast charging company and the UK’s best rated en-route charging network, is offering to work with British and Irish independent petrol station owners to cover the costs of decommissioning and remediating their forecourts. In exchange, Fastned will lease the land from the owners and build an ultra-rapid
Author: Pranav Jaswani, Technology Analyst at IDTechEx The construction machine industry is still in its early stages of electrification, with the first small electric machine only coming onto the market in 2015. However, IDTechEx’s new report, “Electric Vehicles in Construction 2024-2044: Technologies, Players, Forecasts”, highlights how the electric machines of today are bigger and better than their predecessors from less than 10 years ago. OEMs worldwide are picking up the pace of electric machine development, and IDTechEx finds the industry will grow to be worth over US$126 billion in 2044. Digging force of electric vs. diesel mini-excavators. Source: IDTechEx Machine performance continues to improve The first electric machines to come onto the scene were mini-excavators. Their smaller sizes and less intense workloads made them the ideal testing ground for construction electrification. Many construction companies’ concerns then were whether these electric machines could withstand the demands of the job site and deliver similar performance to diesel engines. IDTechEx’s new report finds that electric mini-excavators are now at a point of development where they can match diesel on virtually all key metrics. EVs offer up equivalent or even superior power to diesel machines, with models from Kato and Wacker Neuson able to generate 30-60% more digging force than an average diesel machine of the same size. Significant improvements have been seen in the runtime of these machines too. Where the first machines on the market only achieved 4 to 6 hours of operation on a single charge, newer machines can manage up to 8 hours of operation (a full workday) as standard. Persistent battery development has played a huge part in this increase, and IDTechEx expects runtimes to reach 9 to 10 hours in the near future. Large excavators and loaders are coming to the fore While mini-excavators dominated the early phases of electric construction machine growth and are still the market’s largest segment, the development focus has pivoted onto large excavators and wheel loaders. Together, these two machine types made up 35% of all equipment sales in 2023 and are some of the heaviest emitters of greenhouse gases on the job site, contributing to over 50% of all construction machine emissions. Their electrification is, therefore, key to furthering the decarbonization of the global construction industry. As the rate of new electric machine models entering production has increased from 2019 to 2023, so has the size of these machines. Where 3-tonne mini-excavators once represented the height of electric machine technology, multiple OEMs now have large excavator models weighing 20 tonnes or greater. The Chinese OEM Know-How even started producing a 52-tonne electric excavator in 2023, which is by far the largest seen to date. Wheel loaders have reached a similar stage, with new 20-tonne machines now being the norm for electrification. Bigger machines necessitate bigger and more advanced battery systems, and the rise of electric excavators and wheel loaders has seen battery sizes in construction shoot up dramatically over the last 5 years. The maximum battery size installed in newly produced models has consistently gone up from ~30 kWh in 2018 – used in mini-excavators and similar compact machines – to over 500 kWh in 2023. The Know-How 52-tonne excavator is equipped with an enormous 700 kWh battery, which IDTechEx estimates would cost US$210,000 on its own and weigh over 3.5 tonnes. What’s next for EV construction machines? Many of the larger machines now entering the market have already gone down the same path as mini-excavators in matching the performance of diesel counterparts. OEMs are at a stage where performance parity is no longer challenging to achieve and are focused on expanding their EV portfolios into bigger machines and new equipment types. Chinese OEMs have been market leaders in this sense, developing larger excavators and wheel loaders while also being proactive in the electrification of mobile cranes weighing in the hundreds of tonnes. Battery advancements will play a huge part in determining the future of the electric construction industry. OEMs currently achieve battery pricing far above what is seen in the automotive market, but increasing the scale of EV production and setting up dedicated supply chains will help bring down costs. At the same time, improving the efficiency of existing battery technologies and bringing in more advanced Li-ion and future battery technologies will widen the types of machines that can be electrified and further enhance their performance. The new IDTechEx report “Electric Vehicles in Construction 2024-2044: Technologies, Players, Forecasts” provides deeper analysis of the future of the electric construction machine industry. It finds that the industry will grow at a CAGR of 21% to reach US$126 billion in value by 2044. For more information and downloadable sample pages, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/EVConstruction. For the full portfolio of electric vehicle market research available from IDTechEx, please see www.IDTechEx.com/Research/EV. Upcoming free-to-attend webinar….. The Electric Future of Construction: EV Machines On The Rise Pranav Jaswani, Technology Analyst at IDTechEx and author of this article, will be presenting a free-to-attend webinar on the topic on Thursday 5 September 2024 – The Electric Future of Construction: EV Machines On The Rise. This webinar will include: We will be holding exactly the same webinar three times in one day. Please register for the session that is most convenient for you. Click here to check the timings and register for your specific time zone. If you are unable to make the date, please register anyway to receive the links to the on-demand recording (available for a limited time) and webinar slides as soon as they are available. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Milence, the joint venture between Daimler Truck, the TRATON GROUP, and Volvo Group, announces the development of its first charging hub in the UK. Construction has now commenced and is underway, with the hub scheduled to be operational with the completion of the first phase in November 2024. Strategically located within the United Kingdom and Europe Immingham, strategically located on the east coast of England, boasts robust internal connections facilitated by excellent road and rail links, including direct access to major motorways such as the M180, M18, and M1, ensuring efficient cargo distribution across the UK. The port’s proximity enables less than 24-hour connectivity to a European market of 170 million people, regularly servicing Northern Europe, Scandinavia, and the Baltic regions with over 30 Ro-Ro (roll-on/roll-off) and Lo-Lo (lift-on/lift-off) sailings each week. These extensive connections and capabilities solidify Immingham’s position as a key logistical hub, enhancing its role in facilitating trade and transportation between the UK and the broader European market. The hub is to be located on Able Humber Port (AHP) – a 311ha deep-water offshore wind and renewable energy port and more than 1,000 metres of planned heavy-duty quays to be developed on 43.1ha of riverbed. Peter Stephenson, Founder and Executive Chairman of AHP stated: “We are delighted to be welcoming Milence to Able Humber Port to develop one of the first electric charging HGV hubs in the UK. This is an exciting step forward in supporting the decarbonising of the Humber Ports and assisting Able Humber Port and the region transition towards net zero.” About the charging hub The new Milence charging hub will be the first of its kind in the UK, representing a significant step towards a greener future for road transport. The development of the charging hub in Immingham will be carried out in multiple phases: Anja van Niersen, CEO at Milence: “Expanding into the UK with our first charging hub in Immingham represents a significant milestone for Milence. This strategic location not only enhances our ability to support the growing demand for sustainable transport solutions but also aligns with our commitment to driving the future of green logistics across Europe.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Osprey Charging, one of the UK’s leading electric vehicle (EV) charging networks, has completed the freehold purchase of a two-acre plot at Twyford Services on the A46, near Evesham. This strategic acquisition will enable the development of a class-leading EV charging hub, with planning permission and grid connection for 16 300kW ultra-rapid chargers already secured. This new development is one of hundreds of EV charging hubs being built by Osprey Charging across the UK, supported by the company’s recent investment boost from Cube Infrastructure Management and Investec Bank. This cash injection will be integral to Osprey’s ambitious growth plans over the next two years. The purchase is the latest freehold acquisition from Osprey following the award-winning Salmon’s Leap hub in Devon, and the recent acquisition of a site in Paisley, Scotland. Further announcements are expected in 2024 as part of Osprey’s strategy of deploying high-power EV charging hubs on the UK’s strategic road network. Located at the Twyford Services, on the busy A46 linking Cheltenham, Evesham and Coventry, the site is an ideal location for an ultra-rapid charging hub that will serve both local residents and long-distance travellers, providing a much-needed boost to the region’s EV infrastructure. The site is already home to several well-known tenants, including Costa, KFC, Premier Inn, Beefeater Restaurant, and Texaco Petrol Station. These amenities will offer a range of options for EV drivers to enjoy while their vehicles are charging, making Twyford Services a convenient and attractive stopover. Ian Johnston, CEO of Osprey Charging, said: “Here at Osprey, we are continuing to ramp up our fast-paced roll-out of public EV chargers, and the acquisition of this two-acre site at Twyford Services is another great step forward for our network, and for the UK’s EV drivers. Purchasing freehold sites is an important strategy for us, offering greater flexibility and control over the design of the charging hub, ultimately making it more user-friendly for our customers. “With planning permission secured for 16 chargers to be installed at the hub, this acquisition will provide EV drivers with a high-quality and reliable charging solution in a key location on the UK’s road network. The 16 chargers at Twyford Services will be another successful example of our hub strategy, with 10 high-powered hubs already delivered this year alone, keeping us on track to hit our target of installing 30 hubs by year’s end.” As the UK moves closer to the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles, the demand for reliable and accessible EV charging infrastructure continues to grow. Osprey Charging is committed to meeting this demand by providing state-of-the-art charging solutions that cater to all types of EVs and drivers, with over 80 sites expected to be built in 2024. Osprey delivered more rapid chargepoints than any other operator in 2023 and has already installed more than 200 chargepoints in 2024, consolidating its position as not just one of the largest, but one of the most trusted charging operators in the UK. In 2023, Osprey was crowned Chargepoint Operator of the Year at the Electric Vehicle Innovation & Excellence (EVIE) Awards 2023 and Zap Map Driver Recommended Network for Customer Satisfaction for the fourth year running. Osprey charging locations are consistently scored highly for safety and accessibility by independent inspection body ChargeSafe, and the network was once again rated in the UK Top 3 for customer satisfaction in 2023 by the annual Zapmap EV Driver Survey. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
One of Scotland’s pioneering suppliers of EV infrastructure, FOR EV, has further expanded its team with the appointment of Graham Neill as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Supporting businesses in their transition to electric fleets through its bespoke ‘FOR Fleets’ proposition, FOR EV is paving the way for sustainable change across the country. In addition to its innovative fleet solution, the company is soon to launch its 30th public charging hub in Scotland, supporting both Government’s net zero ambitions and the drive to shift the UK to electric vehicles as standard. Graham joins FOR EV from his previous role as Investment Director at N4 Partners. With a background in professional services, debt finance and private equity, Graham has exceptional expertise across strategy and finance, having worked with several global businesses spanning sectors including oil and gas, renewables and financial services. His appointment marks another step in FOR EV’s successful journey, three years on from the Scottish National Investment Bank’s initial equity investment in 2021. The Bank has since provided additional funding to FOR EV, with the latest £10m investment announced in June. The funding supercharges the company’s plans to scale up its fleet offering and further grow its network of accessible charging destinations across the UK. To boost its ambitions to bring reliable, high-quality EV charge points to even more locations, the company plans to go to market later this year for its next round of scale-up investment. Discussing his appointment, Graham Neill, CFO at FOR EV said: “Making this move into the EV sector is a very exciting next step in my career. The EV world has grown significantly over the past decade, and this is only set to continue at pace as more fleets and drivers embrace electric vehicles. It’s a fast-moving industry, and one that supports Government ambition both in Scotland and the UK. “As a company that puts all of its effort into positively impacting both people and the planet, FOR EV has established a leading market position within the EV sector and is perfectly positioned to lead the pack. I look forward to contributing to its growth journey.” FOR EV’s CEO, Steve Dunlop, said: “Graham joins our team with fantastic knowledge of the financial landscape. After several years of growth, we’re now at a pivotal point in FOR EV’s success as we venture the wider market for funding to underpin our next growth stage. “Graham will be pivotal to realising our aspirations to help even more businesses in their transition towards sustainable EV fleets.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Chemstore, the leading expert in hazardous materials storage and a trusted specialist in lithium-ion battery safety, has introduced the BSK1 – Battery Charging and Transport Case. This innovative solution ensures the safe charging, storage, and transport of lithium-ion batteries. The BSK-1 fire has been developed to meet the highest safety standards for lithium-ion battery storage and transport. Its unique cable gland design allows users to safely charge their batteries within the case, ensuring maximum safety and convenience. The case’s lightweight and robust construction, coupled with its easy handling, makes it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Key features of the BSK-1 fire protection case include: • Affordablility: BSK-1 is available for less than £500 per unit • Fire-resistant interior fittings: Derived from cutting-edge fire and explosion protection technologies, including dust-free PyroBubbles cushions. • Maximum protection: The case maintains an outside temperature below 100 °C, with no emission of flames or splinters in the event of an emergency, providing top-tier protection for people and their surroundings. • High dielectric safety: Suitable for strong power tools or defective batteries, ensuring versatile use. • Tested technology: Developed according to the latest hazardous goods technology and successfully tested in real-time fire scenarios. • Capacity: Accommodates a maximum dangerous goods weight of 8 kg with inner dimensions of 520 x 320 x 245 mm. Rising incidence of lithium-ion battery fires There has been a significant rise in the use of lithium-ion batteries globally, driven by the growing popularity of power tools, electric vehicles, and portable electronics. However, this surge in usage has also led to a concerning rise in lithium-ion battery fires, with UK fire services attending 46% more fires linked to lithium-ion batteries in 2023 than 2022. The impact of lithium-ion battery fires can be devastating; a factory fire in South Korea in June 2024, involving exploding lithium-ion batteries tragically resulted in 22 fatalities and highlights the urgent need for reliable and safe storage solutions . Speak to the experts As the go-to experts for lithium-ion battery storage, Chemstore has become the preferred partner for industry leaders across multiple sectors, including construction, education, logistics and motorsport, where the demand for safe battery storage is paramount. The BSK-1 represents the latest addition to Chemstore’s expanding range of lithium-ion battery storage solutions, which includes safety products at every stage of the process when working with lithium-ion batteries, including: – Mike Brodie, Managing Director of Chemstore, commented on the launch: “The BSK1 – Battery Charging and Transport Case is a simple yet effective solution to the increasingly common problem of safely charging, storing, and transporting lithium-ion batteries. Whether for power tools, ebike/escooter charging or defective batteries, the BSK-1 offers peace of mind that batteries are protected.” “We are thrilled to expand our lithium-ion battery storage offering, reinforcing our commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions that address the evolving needs of our customers and ensure the highest safety standards.” For more information on the BSK-1 fire protection case and other lithium-ion battery storage solutions, visit: www.chemstore.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Osprey Charging, the UK’s leading and fastest-growing EV rapid-charging network, has released research confirming that nearly nine in ten UK commercial landlords (87%) surveyed feel that installing public EV charging at their sites is important for attracting new; and retaining existing customers (86%). After polling 500 commercial landlords across the UK, Osprey found that the vast majority think that providing public EV chargers brings numerous commercial benefits. An overwhelming 86% said that it is important for retaining customers, while over four fifths (84%) said that it increases their chances of being able to rent their space out to businesses, decreasing void rates. Similarly, 85% believe that EV charging is important for ensuring their site is an in-demand space in the future whilst three-quarters (75%) said that it leads to longer dwell times from visitors, and 72% think that it leads to increased total customer footfall. The survey also found that commercial landlords agree on the environmental and health benefits of EV charging. Four in five (80%) believe it supports local decarbonisation efforts, with 78% agreeing it leads to better air quality, and three-quarters (75%) saying it reduces noise pollution on site. With the roll-out of public EV chargers continuing at a rapid rate, installing EV charging at commercial spaces continues to remain a priority for UK commercial landlords. Nearly three-quarters (72.4%) currently offer public EV charging at up to half of their spaces. Jake Goldby, Head of Acquisitions at Osprey Charging, said: “Installing public EV charging is becoming an essential requirement for UK commercial landlords who want to stay competitive and meet customer demands. From the financial benefits of higher customer footfall and greater future renting opportunities to the environmental benefits, this research has provided us with fascinating insights into why more and more are offering EV charging on their sites. “Partnering with commercial landlords has been integral for Osprey in allowing us to increase the roll-out of our charging infrastructure, which now has over 1,000 public high-powered EV chargers in rural and urban locations across the UK. We’re delighted to see that this research shows that they remain committed to supporting the roll-out of public charging infrastructure across the UK.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Loughborough, UK: Energy engineering solutions provider BRUSH Group has opened a multi-million-pound world-class transformer test cell facility at its transformer manufacturing facility in Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK. The facility, housed in a huge former workshop at the firm’s iconic Falcon Works in the Leicestershire town, will put newly built power transformers through their paces before being shipped out to BRUSH customers. Key customer representatives joined BRUSH employees for the official opening of the test cell which features a high-voltage acoustic test area with 12-metre-high doors. From this new testing facility, BRUSH has the capability to conduct a comprehensive range of tests on its transformers, ensuring they surpass the high standards of performance the company’s customers have come to expect. With dedicated storage for up to four of BRUSH’s biggest transformer units, the facility allows the company to significantly increase its production capacity to meet the UK’s fast-growing demand for power transformers as the country gears up for decarbonisation. The test cell also enables BRUSH to offer the most comprehensive suite of routine and type tests for transformers up to 170kV, both new builds and retrofit units. Energy efficient by design, with a whole raft of health and safety features, the purpose-built, high-capacity space is both IEC (BSEN) and ENA compliant. Nicolas Pitrat, CEO of BRUSH Group said: “We’re seeing rapidly increasing demand for power transformers from all segments of our customer base in the UK, from power networks operators and renewable energy producers to public infrastructure providers and commercial developers. “Opening of our new world-class test cell here in Loughborough allows us to keep pace with that demand and play our part in the domestic supply chain, enabling energy producers and consumers to connect to the grid and accelerate towards net zero. “I’m really proud of what the team at BRUSH has achieved with this latest investment, and especially pleased with our team of new engineering apprentices who have come on board to support our growth including operating the new test cell.” The range of tests offered includes winding resistance, CT tests, core and frame insulation, capacitance and insulation power factor, short-circuit impedance, load loss / no-load loss, applied voltage, NVD bushing capacitance, impulse test, temperature rise test, hot spot measurement, SFRA, RSO, tank vibrations and sound levels. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Henkel has further expanded the portfolio of its industrial internet of things (IIoT) solution Loctite Pulse by launching two novel innovative offerings: Smart Rotating Equipment Monitoring and Smart Pipes and Tanks Leak Detection. These cutting-edge solutions mark another milestone in the company’s commitment to expanding its broad Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) portfolio and delivering advanced technology to industrial operations worldwide. Driven by a mission to redefine industrial reliability, Loctite Pulse leverages over 70 years of industrial brand expertise to offer a comprehensive suite of IIoT solutions. From state-of-the-art monitoring sensor technology to trusted solutions for both static and rotating equipment, the brand empowers industries to stay ahead of plant failures, helping to reduce downtime and enhancing safety and sustainability. The Loctite Pulse app enables the monitoring of critical assets with just a few clicks and thus significantly facilitates the maintenance of a broad variety of assets without the need for any additional IT implementation. It provides alerts and information about the equipment status to effectively support users in prioritizing tasks and scheduling shutdowns. Key features of the new solutions include: “We are excited to unveil these groundbreaking solutions as part of our expanded portfolio,” said Dr. Kourosh Bahrami, Corporate Senior Vice President General Manufacturing and Maintenance, Henkel Adhesive Technologies. “With our offer in smart maintenance and advanced IIoT technology, we are empowering industrial customers to enhance reliability, efficiency, and sustainability.” The new solutions amplify the connection between Loctite’s IIoT portfolio and Henkel´s MRO core product range. Smart Rotating Equipment Monitoring allows customers to monitor critical assets like pumps, motors, and gearboxes, detect issues early, and apply proven solutions from Loctite’s extensive MRO product range to solve the issues. Similarly, Smart Pipes and Tanks Leak Detection links seamlessly to Loctite’s established composite repair, sealing, and coating solutions. This integrated approach ensures that problems are diagnosed while corresponding repair products are being offered from a single source. Loctite Pulse goes beyond predicting and identifying failures – in case of interest the company helps customers to find smart fixes by offering high-performing, long-lasting repair products. Henkel introduced Loctite Pulse in 2021 and quickly expanded the offering with the Loctite Pulse Smart Steam Trap solution in 2023. The solutions are being implemented at corporates as well as small and medium-sized enterprises from the oil and gas, chemical, and food and beverage industries, as well as in Henkel’s production facilities. At Henkel’s production site in Düsseldorf, for example, the Loctite Pulse Smart Steam Trap solution provides instant information via the smartphone app, allowing prompt identification of blockages or blow throughs. “With Loctite Pulse Smart Steam Traps, we can react immediately and do not have losses of several months, which cost us money,” explained Annegret Schindlmeyr, Sustainability Manager at Henkel. In addition to the portfolio expansion, Loctite Pulse has received multiple prestigious market accolades for its innovations, including Engineering Product of the Year 2023 by the DEA, the Digital Innovation Award 2023 by BEMAS, the New Technology Award 2024 by OTC, the „Best Smart Industry 4.0 Solutions Award“ of IOT Solutions World Congress, and the Real Innovation Technology Award (RITA) 2024 in the Product Innovation category. To learn more about Loctite Pulse and its expanded portfolio, visit the respective websites for North America and Europe. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new study from Juniper Research, the foremost experts in smart cities markets, found the total number of EV (Electric Vehicle) charging points globally will grow by 194% over the next five years; rising from 21.8 million in 2024. The research found private EV sales have slowed in the last year due to a number of factors, including range anxiety and reduced government EV purchase subsidies for consumers. Government support has shifted to building charging infrastructure, with new initiatives including the On-street Residential Chargepoint Scheme in the UK, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in the US, being some of the key driving factors in expanding charging networks. An extract from the new report, Global Electric Vehicles Charging & Batteries Market 2024-2029, is now available as a free download. Support of Rapid Charging Technology Is Critical to Success The research identified the long duration of charging sessions and the impracticability of charging on the go as key barriers to wide-scale EV adoption. It urges service stations and retail outlets to take advantage of government EV charge point initiatives by installing rapid DC (Direct Current) chargers. By doing this now, infrastructure providers will avoid paying for costly upgrades in the future. Rapid DC chargers typically charge up to 150kW compared to fast chargers, which cannot charge beyond 22kW. This results in newer EV models, such as the Porsche Taycan and Hyundai IONIQ 6, becoming a more appealing option for potential adopters, due to reduced charging times via public charging services. The study predicts that the US and UK will be the largest two adopters of this emerging technology; accounting for over 45% of infrastructure by 2029. In addition to the significant improvements in charging times, the integration of rapid DC chargers also aligns with the advancements seen in electric vehicle testing. As more rigorous and comprehensive tests are conducted, it’s evident that faster charging capabilities are not only beneficial for consumer convenience but also enhance electric vehicles’ overall performance and reliability. This improved infrastructure and vehicle technology accelerates the transition to electric mobility, reinforcing the necessity for stakeholders to invest in rapid charging solutions. About the Research Suite The new market research suite offers the most comprehensive assessment of the electric vehicle charging & batteries market to date; providing analysis and forecasting of over 56,500 datapoints across 60 countries over five years. It includes a ‘Competitor Leaderboard’ and examination of current and future market opportunities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Fastned, the European fast charging company and the UK’s best rated en-route charging network, is offering to work with British and Irish independent petrol station owners to cover the costs of decommissioning and remediating their forecourts. In exchange, Fastned will lease the land from the owners and build an ultra-rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging hub. This will help scale up the UK and Ireland’s ultra-rapid charging network and get more EV drivers on the road. Petrol station owners who want to use their land for any other commercial purpose usually need to safely decommission the large underground fuel tanks located on their site, and remove the contaminated soil from decades of leakage. This can make the transition to EV charging an expensive, and so risky, endeavour. Fastned is expanding its charging network in the UK and is looking for sites for charging hubs that are in busy locations that make it easy for EV drivers to charge. Independent petrol station owners with sites that meet Fastned’s location criteria can access Fastned’s “A Clean Start” offer to help with the costs of cleaning up their sites. With a long-term commercial lease in place, Fastned will then use its in-house design and construction teams to develop the site into an ultra-rapid charging hub, with multiple 400kW chargers, which it will then operate as part of its growing network. Former petrol station owners may get a cut of the annual turnover from the hub in addition to guaranteed rental income, depending on the commercial agreement. Additionally, with the number of EVs on UK roads predicted to grow to two million vehicles over the next two years, and EV sales up 45% in Ireland in 2023 compared to 2022, more public charging hubs will be needed to meet demand. This is likely to cause a rush to secure power connections across the UK and Ireland. Fastned’s offer allows independent petrol station owners to take action now and get ahead of their competitors to meet this growing demand, establishing their locations as the go-to sites for local and regional charging needs. Tom Hurst, UK Country Manager, Fastned said: “With this offer we’re putting our money where our mouth is. We’re serious about ramping up the roll-out of the UK and Ireland’s charging network, and we’re excited to work with petrol station owners that want to be at the forefront of the EV transition. Collaboration is key to making EVs the new norm, so we’re calling out to all independent petrol station owners that want to get ahead of the curve and make a Clean Start – if you’re interested, get in touch.” For twelve years Fastned has been providing EV drivers with a reliable and easy-to-use ultra-rapid charging service. A market leader in the Netherlands, Fastned has over 300 charging hubs across seven different European countries. This includes 21 charging hubs in the UK with a total of 112 charging points each offering up to 300 miles of range in 20 minutes. Each Fastned charging hub has either yellow illuminated wings or nature-inspired wooden solar canopies that make them visible to drivers. This reassures existing EV drivers that they can plug in, power up and drive off within minutes, and shows drivers that have not yet made the switch what is available to them. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
