ZPN develops new charging infrastructure standard

Coventry-based ZPN Energy has become the first firm to develop technology that uses a new standard for EV charging infrastructure.

The company claims to be the first to use the new Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP 2.0.1), which will lead to universal contactless charging for all EVs.

The firm was awarded £4.5m in 2019 from InnovateUK to develop a rapid charging network in Exeter. It is now investing in international markets and new technologies, including software and smart energy networks.

Chief executive of ZPN Energy, Ian Stillie, said: “With a global move towards zero carbon targets, the requirements laid out by the Paris Agreement and ambitious international sustainability goals, the imperative for zero carbon energy hasn’t gone away.

“As we move towards 2021 there’s a greater acceptance that we need a drastic re-think of how we source the energy we use.

“The world is changing very quickly and the transition to EV is imminent. Energy and transport remain major contributors to air pollution and climate change, but there is positive change underway.

“With worldwide calls to ‘build back better’ from the pandemic, taking steps to improve infrastructure is pivotal.

“Our technology overcomes the constraint on grid capacity, making charging faster and more sustainable, allowing clear, simple management of networks to automatically optimise energy use.”

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