EV Magazine November 2023 | Page 75

Today , the Optimise Prime network innovation project released its concluding report , which summarises insights gleaned from four years of experimental activity .

Over the course of the project , data was collected from more than 8,000 electric vehicles ( EVs ) used for business operations across three separate trials . Various technical and commercial strategies were employed with the objective of hastening the shift towards EVs for commercial fleet managers . This initiative assists Great Britain ' s distribution network operators ( DNOs ) in strategizing and getting ready for the widespread uptake of EVs .

INFRASTRUCTURE IS EVERYTHING IN SUSTAINABLE TRANSFORMATION

With attention firmly on EV adoption now that the industry is rapidly evolving , a much larger spotlight is cast on the infrastructure required to power a full network of electrified vehicles on the roads in years to come .

As explained by the panel , much of the problem is a result of accessibility . While many drivers may notice a lack of charging stations in a specific area , the potential for blame on the energy sector and its output is somewhat inevitable . However , both Kochman and Clarke stress that sustainable energy capacity is available in the UK , but the ability to distribute it to new charging sites is the challenge that companies face .

This point arose as conversation about government input occurred with the panellists explaining how authorities and their legislation could be the key to enabling more sustainable opportunities in some areas of the industry . One example being localised sites to deliver independent energy .

“ You put in the application to the local energy distribution company , and yo join the queue , then ‘ see you in five years ’ if you ’ re lucky ,” says Kochman .

He continues to explain the thought of some independent retail sites with land available to build sustainable energy systems on , which again become hindered by legislative roadblocks .

“ You run into endless regulations and constraints again even though you ’ re practically doing the whole thing yourself this time .”

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