Charging Projects

Pioneering EV charging projects

Our expertise in electric vehicles extends beyond vehicle leasing, we work closely with energy network distributors, manufacturers, software engineers and other partners to deliver innovative projects and find solutions designed to enhance energy efficiency and improve air quality.

We have worked specifically on two research projects designed to test charging clusters of electric cars and what effect this has on the energy grid, and lately how smart charging can be used to smooth peaks in electricity demand.

DriveElectric are also proud to be supporting the development of the UK’s first eco-town in Bicester, Oxfordshire. Working together DriveElectric and the North West Bicester Development Project Team are promoting sustainable transport within the development and encouraging residents to switch to driving an ultra-low emission vehicle.

Electric Nation

Electric Nation is trialling a solution to manage EV charging challenges. The UK electricity system has sufficient capacity to deliver energy to electric vehicles, however recent research suggests that if clusters of EVs develop in local areas and they’re all charged simultaneously then some local electricity networks may require costly reinforcement.

A smart charging system, such as the one being trialled in Electric Nation, could alleviate the stress on the electricity network caused by clusters of EVs charging at the same time.

The Electric Nation project has 500 participants, across the Western Power Distribution region, making it the largest trial of its kind in the world.

The project aims to provide local electricity network operators with the tools to ensure that their networks can cope with charging increasing numbers of electric vehicles, whilst avoiding the expense and disruption of digging up roads to replace cables.

July 2019 Update: The final results of the Electric Nation project have been released. Insights from the smart charging trial show that smart charging can help to manage the impact on the grid from increasing numbers of electric vehicles. Read more>

My Electric Avenue

North West Bicester

DriveElectric are proud to be supporting the development of the UK’s first eco-town in Bicester, Oxfordshire.

A2Dominion have already built features into the design to make alternative, greener travel by foot, public transport, bike or electric car an easy option.

Working together DriveElectric and the North West Bicester Development Project Team are promoting sustainable transport within the development and encouraging residents to switch to driving an ultra-low emission vehicle.