Elektromotive aims to create UK's biggest pay-as-you-go EV charging network

Elektromotive, the European provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging points, is to create the UK’s largest pay-as-you-go, ‘open source’ network of public access charging stations for EVs, based upon the development of its pay-by-phone technology.

The initiative comes as the result of a new joint venture with Charge your Car (North) Ltd. The new company, Charge Your Car Limited, will expand the existing Charge your Car (North) Ltd network located predominantly across north-east England, and incorporate other regional networks and stand-alone units under the established Charge Your Car brand. The goal is to create a recharging network with 10,000 public access pay-as-you-go charge points located across the UK.

To accelerate its rapid expansion, the national network will be ‘open source’, meaning that charge points produced by any manufacturer can be included on the network, provided they use the industry-standard open charge point protocol (OCPP). Elektromotive, which has an installed base of more than 3,000 charge points, is developing second-generation back office technology and a new user interface. The joint venture will create a marketplace that connects charge point owners to EV drivers.
For the EV driver, the development and expansion of the Charge Your Car network means it will become much easier to gain ready access to charging points across the UK, and do so without the need to pay a monthly subscription. It also means that they can locate and pay for the use of any Charge Your Car charge point using their cell phone or smartphone.

“Charge Your Car is the perfect catalyst for the EV market and supports all the stakeholders with an interest in EVs,” commented Calvey Taylor-Haw, founder and MD of Elektromotive. “Charge point owners in both the public and private sectors have a way to promote their charge points, generate revenue and manage their infrastructure. EV drivers have a single access point for recharging that is quick, easy and affordable. Charge point manufacturers have a company that will help them to sell more charge points and EV manufacturers have a company that will help them to sell more vehicles. We are also seeking partners who wish to implement Charge Your Car outside of the UK, establishing it as one of the world’s leading recharging brands.”

22 June 2012