NEW collaboration between Centrica and National Car Parks aims to make electric vehicle charging more easily available to professional drivers.
Potential ways of charging commercial fleets and taxis in public spaces are sought in a form of ‘charge parks’.
Andreas Atkins, Head of Electric Vehicle Strategy, Centrica Innovations, commented: “One of the big barriers we need to overcome in terms of adoption is how professional drivers can make time in their day to charge.
“While there has been a great deal of research in to how to make charging faster, little has been done to enhance convenience, so that charging can fit comfortably in to our busy lives.”
Centrica has recently expanded its digital service, Local Heroes, to offer homeowners electric vehicle charging installations.
Centrica Business Solutions has also launched a package of solutions for large businesses that includes new solar and battery storage facilities to help meet increased onsite power demand.
National Car Parks manages over 500 sites and has over 150,000 parking spaces.
Jonathan Scott, CEO of National Car Parks, added: “Mechanisms such as the congestion charge and Ultra Low Emissions zones are drivers for the adoption of electric fleets.
“We are investing to grow the number of our sites offering electric vehicle charging, but we want to do so in a way that’s fit for purpose for all of our customers.”
The first pilot ‘charge park’ is expected in the new year.
