EV Charging Infrastructure partnership between VINCI Energies and Future Transport Systems Announced

July 6, 2011 - PRLog -- SWITCH EV, a partnership between VINCI Energies UK (VE UK) and Future Transport Systems (FTS) has been created to provide an independent one stop shop for the development and operation of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.

With a focus on engendering a joined up national EV charging network, The Newcastle upon Tyne and Coventry based company will develop and operate charging infrastructure for organisations requiring locally and nationally interoperable networks, meaning that EV drivers will be able to use a range of charge points throughout the UK with a single access fob.

With a recent World Wildlife Fund report* indicating at 1.7 million EVs will be needed by 2020 in order to achieve the UK’s climate change targets, SWITCH EV will provide customers with independent access to the most appropriate charge point technology and energy supplier to help organisations respond to the growing need for EV charging infrastructure.

The agreement will combine VINCI Energies’ global infrastructure and operation expertise with Future Transport Systems’ leading expertise in EV infrastructure planning and development. Both organisations are already involved with a range of major EV infrastructure projects in the UK and mainland Europe.

In contrast to other companies in the sector that aim to sell their own technology or electricity, SWITCH EV’s flexible business model will provide the best fit solution for customers’ needs. In particular SWITCH EV will champion the use of an open charge point protocol (OCPP) which will remove much of the complication from enabling the charge points of different manufacturers to communicate with a common operating system. Working with a range of leading charge point manufacturers and networks, SWITCH EV expect this approach to accelerate the potential for EV drivers to access charge points throughout the UK with a single access fob.

Matthew Lumsden, Managing Director of Future Transport Systems, said: “With the increased use of electric vehicles in the UK the need to support EV drivers with accessible charge points is increasingly important. Organisations that want to support electric vehicles and develop their own EV charging facilities can now do so through one company, SWITCH EV.

Our aim to promote the use of an open charge point protocol and help connect the UK with a joined up system will increase the ease with which EV drivers can freely drive and charge throughout the country and ultimately Europe. Having discussed our proposition with a number of existing network operators and key industry players we are confident that it will be well received. ”

Andrew Hunter, Operations Director of VINCI Energies UK, said: “SWITCH EV is the first large scale private sector led EV infrastructure solution that is not biased towards a particular electricity or charge point supplier. We aim to build a sustainable business based on providing customers with value that best fits their needs. This is a new sector that now needs to be driven forward by the private sector and we believe that the expertise and experience in SWITCH EV is what customers need.

SWITCH EV combines the international resources and engineering experience available within the VINCI Energies and the leading edge expertise of Future Transport Systems to bring a ‘turn-key’ solution for organisations looking to develop EV Infrastructure. This collaboration will bring forward looking expertise and quality to an increasingly fragmented marketplace but most importantly the flexibility and independence that customers need“

For more information: http://www.switchev.co.uk

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SWITCH EV provides development and operation services for EV infrastructure. If you are constructing a business model, assessing demand for charge points or wanting to operate a network, we have the experience to support projects with bespoke solutions.