...Courtesy of Transport+Energy
SWARCO Smart Charging is set to launch a new nationwide ultra-rapid electric vehicle charging network which will be known as PoGo.
Derived from the concept of enabling drivers to ‘Power and Go’, the aim is to build a network of over 2,000 ultra-rapid charging stations over the next four years. Swarco’s ambition is to not only identify and create more charging locations but to also significantly improve the availability and reliability of ‘on-the-go’ charging to help power the UK’s journey towards an electric future.
The charging locations will be strategically positioned to be convenient for drivers and with easy access to public amenities, coffee shops, food outlets etc.
PoGo’s driver centric approach will mean each site will have multiple charging options which will be regularly serviced and maintained by an experienced team of EV-driving engineers. EV drivers will be supported by a 24/7 highly trained in-house customer support team who can be contacted by phone, email, PoGo’s website or app, as well as PoGo’s social media channels.
Justin Meyer, Managing Director of SWARCO Smart Charging, said: “We are leveraging our considerable experience and learnings from the last 12 years to create a new network which will put the EV driver at the very heart of our operations.
“With battery-electric cars accounting for one-third of all new registrations in December and the total number of pure EVs on UK roads now reaching over 600,000, we know that accelerating the installation of suitable charging infrastructure is needed to support the current and future demands of EV drivers. That requires not only the most reliable technology, but also finding the best sites, and having a team with the drive, passion and know-how to deliver an exceptional experience, and support people on their electric journey.”
The team is led by Eugenio Herrero who takes up the position of Executive Director of PoGo. With considerable EV charging experience, and having launched and managed an EV network before, he says PoGo needs to be more than simply a network of charge points.
“We will be building the PoGo network across the length and breadth of England, Scotland and Wales so that wherever you are, or wherever you want to go, you will know that you can rely on PoGo. By building a nationwide network of ultra-rapid chargers with full driver support, we hope to encourage more drivers to make the switch to electric.
“We are working closely with landlords to ensure an even spread across the UK so PoGo drivers can travel to each corner of the country through our ultra-rapid offering.”
Comments
By Michael Devine, one Year ago
At 97p/kWh for DC charging, I really can’t see much in the way of demand. Much cheaper to buy and run an ICE so I don’t understand how the introduction of this service is going to persuade drivers to make the switch to BEVs.
By Rob Kay, one Year ago
I think we can look at charging in many different ways:
Think of the difference between the price you pay for a beer at home, and the price you pay at a pub.
At Tesco’s today, four big cans of Bellhaven cost £3.50. (Oddly enough this weas cheaper than the zero alcohol Innes and Gunn lager alternative).
At most Scottish pubs, a Pint costs £4.00 or so.
As batteries grow bigger, and far more charging is done at home, the individual owners percentage need for remote charging gets a lot less.
I drive about 8,000 miles a year, and as I have upgraded from a 24 kWh Leaf to a 64 kWh Kona, my use of public rapid charging networks in Scotland and the UK has almost vanished.
For long distances I tend to fly or use the train.
Now, I realise this is unsatisfactory and unfair to those with no home chargers, but they are in a small minority, and the best way to cater for them is having lots of affordable lower power local units on every street.
Do I care how much a rapid costs? Not much, because I use them so little, I hardly notice.
Is that selfish? I don’t know - I’m fairly typical, but others may well differ.