EO Charging, one of the U.K.’s electric vehicle (EV) charging manufacturers, has launched “Plug In Suffolk” in partnership with Suffolk County Council and renewable energy provider Bulb.
This is the country’s first “fully open” public fast-charging network for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, meaning EV drivers simply pay by contactless payment with no need to register with networks or become members of organizations.
The first Plug in Suffolk charging location has been unveiled at Urban Jungle Plant Nursery and Cafe in Beccles. The company offers two 7kW EO chargers alongside the EO Pay kiosk, allowing members of the public and employees to charge their electric vehicles.
Plug In Suffolk will see the installation of electric vehicle charging stations (up to 400 individual sockets) across the county at 100 key locations and business addresses.
Charlie Jardine, founder and CEO of EO Charging, said, “Suffolk’s existing charging infrastructure is simply not fit for purpose if we are to see the mass adoption of EVs across the county. The ‘Plug In Suffolk’ network will play a vital role in increasing the density of publicly available fast EV chargers and will ensure that driving electric in Suffolk is hassle-free. Charging should be as easy as buying groceries, simply tap-and-go."
EO Charging has also partnered with Bulb, Britain’s green energy supplier, to offer Suffolk businesses the opportunity to switch to 100 percent renewable electricity. Businesses that become a part of the Plug In Suffolknet work will be able to switch to Bulb, which provides affordable renewable energy at prices on average 15 percent lower than standard energy tariffs offered by the “Big Six”.
Alexandra Deschamps-Sonsino, head of Bulb Labs, said, “Businesses that install the ‘EO Pay’ unit and become part of the ‘Plug In Suffolk’ network, will be able to charge visitors to charge their electric vehicle. Host businesses have the option to pay upfront for the chargers or alternatively can spread the cost through EO Charging’s new pay per day funding model – ‘Charging-as-a-Service’.”
EO Charging is currently in discussion with a number of other counties and local authorities across the United Kingdom to launch similar projects to support the growing popularity for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.