Novuna Vehicle Solutions unveils plans for EV charging forecourt

Fleet leasing provider Novuna Vehicle Solutions has announced plans to open a state-of-the art EV charging forecourt, representing a first for the UK’s contract hire and leasing industry.

The EV charging forecourt installation, offering a variety of charging options, will act as a customer reference site and provide fleets with the opportunity to experience first-hand the variety of charging hardware Novuna Vehicle Solutions can implement for fleets at their own depot and workplace sites.

The charging infrastructure at Novuna Vehicle Solutions’ premises in Trowbridge will feature 12 AC charging bays that can deliver up to 22 kW of power to fully charge an average EV with a 50 kWh battery equipped with a 11 kW onboard charger in under five hours. A separate car park on site with four DC rapid charging bays will deliver up to 100kW of power to fully charge a vehicle in under one hour, subject to state of charge, temperature, onboard charger and power available.

Electricity at the forecourt, which will enable 16 electric vehicles to be charged simultaneously, will be generated from a solar canopy over the 12 AC bays combined with a grid connection, enabling an estimated 70% of the energy consumed for employee charging to be sourced from Novuna’s own renewable generation. A 180 kWh battery storage facility onsite equipped with an energy management system will enable storage of unused solar generated energy, allowing the use of peak-saving trickle charging, delivering lower Co2 emissions.

Construction of the EV charging installation works, using lower Co2 concrete and equipment, will feature parking bays designed to accommodate cars and vans as well as accessibility bays and will showcase the full suite of end-to-end EV charging infrastructure capabilities provided by Novuna Vehicle Solutions.

A key element of the installation will include the introduction of a charge point management system and associated driver app, My Novuna Charging, enabling Novuna Vehicle Solutions to manage both its own charging network and its customer’s charge points effectively. The system, which will also grant fleet drivers access to other corporate, private and public networks in the near future, provides a real time view of charging events and energy consumption alongside remote hardware maintenance for fleets.

Commissioning construction of the flagship installation demonstrates Novuna Vehicle Solutions’ ambition to comprehensively support fleets transition to battery electric vehicles through its unique decarbonisation propositions, whilst also serving as a charging facility for over 300 employees at Novuna Vehicle Solutions’ purpose-built premises on the White Horse Business Park in Trowbridge.

Jon Lawes (pictured), Managing Director of Novuna Vehicle Solutions, said: “We are very excited to unveil plans for our upcoming sustainable state of the art EV forecourt at one of our own sites which will encompass the full spectrum of innovative charging solutions we can provide to fleets of all sizes and complexities.

“The combination of both AC and DC charging, paired with solar energy generation and battery storage, serves as both a marker to our commitment to carbon neutrality and demonstrates the comprehensive support we can offer fleet customers right across the EV charging ecosystem helping them to achieve their net zero ambitions.

“This charging forecourt in Trowbridge will, for the first time, truly showcase the breadth of our unique end-to-end modular charging capability and demonstrate first-hand the energy management solutions we can offer to fleet customers as a fully-fledged electrification partner in order to future proof their operations.

“As a large employer locally, our investment in this pioneering charging infrastructure will have a positive impact in the area, reducing our company carbon footprint and in turn helping to pave the way to a greener future for Wiltshire. “

Novuna Vehicle Solutions, which manages over 140,000 vehicles across the UK and Europe ranging from cars and vans to HGVs and specialised assets, have a goal to fully electrify its entire car and small van fleet by 2030.

Following planning approval received from Wiltshire Council, construction will formally commence this month with completion of the site expected later this year.