EFLES: Capturing the opportunities in EV fleet charging

5th June 2020 / Posted by CRP Team

Following the launch of EV Fleet-Centred Local Energy Systems (EFLES) last month, CRP is excited to have begun delivering this innovative project in collaboration with UK Power Networks Services, UPS and Moixa.

EFLES aims to provide a model to facilitate the rapid transition to EVs. In 2018 there were over 5.1 million vans, trucks and buses on the roads in the UK with EVs accounting for less than 1% of those vehicles. The UK aims to ban the sale of petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2040 as part of an urgent call to decarbonise transport. In achieving this, the UK could expect to see a 30% increase from today’s electricity consumption by 2050. This would place increasing pressure on an already constrained power network. Reinforcements can be costly, which would ultimately be met by fleet operators and consumers.

EFLES builds on CRP’s SEUL project, which developed a smart charging system at UPS’ depot to overcome the challenge of recharging an EV fleet without the need for an upgrade to the power supply grid.

EFLES aims to further reduce the operating costs of EV fleets by integrating Moixa’s GridShare platform to monitor and forecast energy demand and optimise the resources at UPS’ depot. These resources, coupled with agile tariffs and network demand, represent hundreds of energy variables being optimised under one system for the first time. This holistic approach offers fleet operators increased flexibility, financial savings, and the opportunity for revenue generation by providing support to the electricity network.

For more information, please contact Project Manager Tom Linton-Smith.