Powering Your Local Electric Vehicle Charging Network With Renewable Energy

Alex Hinchcliffe, Director of Public Charging at Mer UK, explains the importance of renewables when it comes to energising local charge point networks.

With significantly reduced overall lifecycle emissions in comparison to that of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, EVs play a key role in lowering the impact of fossil fuelled transportation.

The expansion of the UK’s electric vehicle (EV) charging network is crucial for achieving national targets for the transition to electric mobility. Local authorities across the UK are making huge headway in rolling out EV charging networks across their boroughs for local residents and visitors.

However, even though the electric mobility takeover is supporting a zero-emission transportation system, this alone is not the end of the conversation. For a zero-emission system can only be realised if the energy we power our EVs with is green.

When building out local charging infrastructure projects, public sector bodies should therefore consider choosing a charge point solution that provides renewable energy to the charge points.

Support local carbon neutral strategies

Renewables are expected to dominate the UK’s electricity market in the coming years according to the Society for Motor Manufacturers, who state over half of all UK electricity is forecasted to be generated renewably by 2026¹.

Councils and public sector authorities are increasingly implementing sustainable initiatives into their business strategies. Nearly two thirds of councils across England have set an aim to be carbon neutral 20 years ahead of the national target².

The simultaneous growth of low-carbon transportation and renewable energy generation is promising. In combination, they can help accelerate the achievement of local net zero goals.

Installing EV charge points will itself help advance local missions to meeting these ambitious targets, but going one step further and using renewably generated energy to energise the charge points will significantly enhance movement towards achieving sustainability goals even more so.

A better tomorrow

Charging our vehicles using electricity sourced from fossil fuels including coal or oil only perpetuates the harmful impact such fuels have made on our planet for centuries. On the other hand, to use renewables to power an EV is to advance their importance in changing the status quo on climate change.

Powering local EV charging networks with this green energy has an even more positive impact on reducing an EV’s lifetime footprint, and will thus help the UK in its journey towards a greener, more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.

EV charging with a purpose

Choosing a charge point operator with a sustainable ethos is the first step towards building an EV charge point portfolio that is fit for a net zero future.

At Mer, we are combining our passion for sustainability with our experience and expertise in providing the public sector with reliable and future-fit EV charging opportunities. Our parent company Statkraft is Europe’s largest producer of renewable energy. Statkraft have operated in the UK since 2006, and they continue to contribute to powering our country with clean energy. With their backing, Mer’s charge points are supplied by 100% renewable, zero carbon energy sourced solely from solar, wind and hydro.

A dependable charge point operator monitors and evaluates its existing network and aims for continuous improvement. Customers are looking for faster charge times, shorter dwell times, and more bays with reliable charge points; these changing demands have acted as the catalyst to Mer’s network evolution. We are delivering second and third phases of charging developments with some long-standing local authority partners. Many of our locations are already being expanded or gentrified, and slower charge points are being replaced by faster units in response to consumer demand.

Mer strives to deliver reliable, customer-focused solutions that are easy to use and accessible to everyone. To find out more about how Mer can support your EV charge point roll out with our renewable offering, download our free Best Practise Guide for the public sector.