Gridserve, a leading UK charge point operator, has unveiled a groundbreaking EV charging test lab, marking a significant advancement in EV charging technology and infrastructure. The new facility, located at Gridserve ‘s Innovation and Operations Centre in Swindon, is set to play a crucial role in enhancing eHGV charger performance standards and improving the overall EV charging experience.
The state-of-the-art lab features a variety of High Power and Medium Power EV chargers, with plans to incorporate megawatt-capable (MW) charging testing in the future. This facility will enable Gridserve to perfect the charging ‘handshake’ across all EVs, test pre-production vehicle prototypes, assess battery energy storage systems, and trial larger format charging bay layouts.
“Given the importance of eHGV charging infrastructure for the country’s industrial strategy, and the nascent nature of electric HGVs, the industry will need to constantly appraise existing charging technology, design new solutions and test robustly,” says Pete Bishop, Chief Technology Officer at Gridserve Technologies. “That is what the EV charging test lab enables us to do.”
The lab will also support the Electric Freightway programme, a government-backed initiative aimed at developing a world-leading charging network for electric trucks. As part of this programme, Gridserve has committed to installing 200 eHGV High Power chargers across 30 sites, including two 1MW-capable chargers.
“This bespoke facility shows our commitment to deliver the world’s most reliable EV charging ecosystem for all electric vehicles,” says Sam Clarke, Chief Vehicle Officer at Gridserve. “Access to a controlled site like this will be invaluable for developing and delivering eHGV charging infrastructure at the speed and scale necessary to address the climate emergency, while ensuring an equitable transition into electrification for the UK haulage industry.”
The launch of this test lab represents a major step forward in the development of EV charging infrastructure, particularly for heavy goods vehicles. As the UK moves towards a more sustainable transportation future, Gridserve’s innovative approach is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of electric vehicle charging.
