19 Jan Innovate UK: Increasing EV charging capacity on the strategic road network
Increasing EV Charging Capacity on England’s Strategic Road Network
Up to £3m per project to develop and demonstrate solutions to increase public Electric Vehicle (EV) charging provision for longer journeys on the Strategic Road Network (SRN).
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, will invest up to £10 million from the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV). This is subject to a sufficient number of high quality applications being received. he aim is to encourage innovative solutions that will increase public EV charging provision for longer journeys on England’s Strategic Road Network (SRN). The SRN, which includes motorways and major A-roads, faces grid and operational constraints in some locations. There are still “cold spots” where drivers cannot access six ultra-rapid charge points within 20 miles (a map of these “cold spots” is available to download here).
The aim of this competition is to create visible, reliable, and accessible ultra[1]rapid charging facilities to keep up with the rapid adoption of electric vehicles in the UK. We are seeking whole-system solutions that combine energy management, storage, and generation with EV charging facilities to overcome these challenges.
The aim of this competition is to:
- test novel whole systems concepts in a real world setting, which address electric vehicle (EV) charging power challenges along the Strategic Road Network (SRN) in England
- develop and demonstrate innovative solutions addressing short to medium term grid and operational constraints to EV charging provision, faced at all purpose trunk road (APTR) cold spots and Motorway Service Areas (MSAs) along the Strategic Road Network (SRN) in England
- enable at least 12 EVs (primarily cars and vans) to access ultra rapid (150kW or more) charging at SRN sites on motorways and APTR in England
- build sector capability and foster a shared focus on improving Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure on the SRN in England
- widely disseminate learning which can enable industry to address power, grid and operational challenges to EV charging provision along the SRN in England
Your proposal must:
- produce a detailed plan of deployment addressing short to medium term power, grid and operational constraints to the roll out of public ultra rapid EV charging for at least one site on the SRN in England
- develop and deploy the solution at one or more MSA sites, or one or more sites within one mile of the SRN so as to reduce or eliminate an APTR cold spot area, within the funded period
- continue to operate that solution with appropriate maintenance and customer support (self funded) for at least three years beyond the end of funding
- address the challenges of public EV charging interoperability and the need for compatibility for users across the SRN in England
- show that you understand relevant design requirements
- consider the safety of users of the SRN in England and other affected groups, in line with standards such as GG 104 – Requirements for safety risk assessment
- report and disseminate learnings from your development and deployment activity to build sector capability, for example, through academic or industry papers, website and social media articles
- report and disseminate your learnings during the three years of operation
Our experience from similar competitions suggests that you could have 15% to 30% chance of success. We welcome early applications ahead of the deadline.
To find out more click here.