EV CHARGING

Charging aheada very big player indeed has entered the eV infrastructure market. Charged! talks to Mark Bonnor-Moris, eV Business Manager at Siemens Mobility & Logistics, about its plans to grab eV infrastructure by the scruff of the neck and become the number one supplier of charging equipment and services for workplace, fleet and car parks

The effectiveness of Electric Vehicles in reducing emissions can only really be evaluated once a realistic charging infrastructure is in place. Much work is being undertaken to solve this ‘Chicken and Egg’ scenario, particularly by Siemens, the largest Europe-based electronics and electrical engineering company. In order to understand the limitations of EVs and concerns regarding their use, a fleet of 100 EVs reside in Munich, Erlangen and Berlin and operate as part of Siemens’ fleet. The vehicles and corresponding infrastructure are tested by Siemens employees and departments, with charging spots installed at Siemens car parks, where the test users get green electricity for free. Every user also gets a wallbox installed in his private garage. Subsidised by ‘Federal Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, the project has provided a solid body of research data. Bonnor-Moris commented: “The project produced a significant amount of information on user profiles, with a key finding that home based overnight charging and fast AC based

workplace charging was favoured by most users. This living lab trial provided excellent feedback for our electromobility R&D teams concerning customer needs and has helped assist in defining, testing and adapt useful business models and technical solutions.”

EuRopEAN AttItudEsAsked how European attitudes towards electric vehicles, such as those in Germany, differ from those in the UK, Bonnor-Moris stated: “In general, continental European attitudes differ from the UK view as there is broader acceptance of the need to integrate and use EV vehicles within a multi-modal transport network. Essentially, there is a greater understanding that the real benefit from EV vehicles relates to urban or short journeys. Other forms of transport such as trains and rental cars are used for longer journeys.”

pluGGEd-IN plACEsSiemens involvement in the largest of the ‘Plugged-in-Places’ projects is considerable. Source London plans to install over 1,300

charging units in the capital, with Siemens having developed the back office and IT systems, and providing the operational services. Siemens provides registration, card issuing and customer management through a customer portal which is supported by the Siemens call centre, which is dual sited for business continuity purposes. Whilst the charging infrastructure is sourced from a number of suppliers, the Siemens service provides an interoperable layer to deliver a single ‘card to charger to customer contact’ approach. The Siemens system also provides secure payment through the use of the PayPoint service and provides the necessary secure and auditable processes for financial reporting, charge backs, refunds, renewals and replacement cards.

AdVANCEd CHARGING Gradually, advanced charging equipment is making it way into the UK picture. Siemens has already installed a number of its CP700A three phase AC charging units at several sites across the UK. Its range of fast AC charging solutions has now been expanded to include the CP500A - a dual headed three charging unit (pictured). This is based on the same high quality components, design and safety features but can simultaneously charge two vehicles in around 1-2 hours. In 2012, Siemens will be launching its DC based rapid Charger in the UK – EVERFLASH is a 50 kW ultra-fast DC charger which complies with the CHAdeMO (an association which is proposing a global industry standard charging protocol). Bonner-Moris explains the rollout: “Essentially an EV business model or network based on 8 hours charge time

does not stack up. We see three phase AC or DC charging equipment becoming the chargers of choice for all non-home based charging. EV users and fleet operators need solutions that can charge cars in less than two hours in order to reduce ‘range anxiety’ and increase commercial vehicles ‘on road’ time. OEM manufacturers understand this, and will be introducing more and more vehicles that can benefit from short charge time.

About tHE CHARGING uNItsSiemens charging solutions have been designed, built and installed for long term field deployment and a high level of usage. The CP product range has a high level of electromechanical protection and is not just reliant on software protection. The units are mechanically much stronger

and durable than competitor units – e.g. IK 10 rating for anti vandalism. The CP500A is available with IEC 62196-2 Mennekes Type 2 and offers a fully shuttered connector rather than just a simple flap with electromagnetic lock. To increase system availability and reduce maintenance costs the RCD can be remotely reset and units are fitted with two visible MID-compliant meters, which can easily by read by the

user or network operator. Siemens supports this technology with a national network of qualified electrical engineers and 24/7 call centre. A Siemens engineer will oversee the appropriate site design, install and commission every unit and, if required, will on be site anywhere in the UK within four hours.

tHE wIdER plANSiemens has already stated that the company will not be making electric cars, nor batteries, but its involvement in the EV marketplace involves looking into ways to merge EV networks and strategies within a wider city or regional integrated transport plans. The company has a wide variety of solutions and services from across its Infrastructure and Cities Sector that can be used in this field and is already talking to

a number of potential customers on new ways to integrate EV infrastructure within a wider multi-modal transport strategy.

FoR MoRE INFoRMAtIoNMark Bonnor-Moris, eV Business Manager, Siemens Mobility & Logistics mark.bonnormoris@siemens.com +44 (0)1202 782649

Source London plans to install over 1,300 charging units in the capital, with Siemens having developed the back office and IT systems, and providing the operational services.

Mark Bonnor-Moris

A GreenFleet Guide to EVs & Infrastructure

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A GreenFleet Guide to EVs & Infrastructure