T + E Forum 2024 sponsor profile: char.gy
Presenting our gold sponsor for the Transport + Energy Forum 2024: char.gy, the electric vehicle (EV) charge point operator (CPO).
char.gy is one of the leading charge point provider and operator for electric vehicles in the UK, managing more than 3,600 public charge points.
It is committed to providing reliable, convenient and affordable charging infrastructure that is accessible to all, particularly the 40% of UK households without private driveways that rely on public charging.
char.gy is dedicated to reshaping the landscape of electric vehicle charging by delivering meaningful and long-lasting outcomes, to ensure a sustainable, reliable and accessible future for all.
Its mission is to deliver society’s preferred electric vehicle charging network accelerating the transition to sustainable transport. By 2030 it will have made the use of electric vehicles easy and convenient for more than one million drivers by delivering and supporting a reliable public charging service.
Funding
char.gy is backed by Zouk Capital and has recently secured additional funding from CIIF, bringing Zouk’s total investment in char.gy to £100 million.
This increased funding aims to place it in a good position to forge strong and lasting partnerships with local governments, enabling the development of infrastructure that supports the UK’s transition to electric mobility. The investment significantly enhances its ability to expand our charging networks to everyone throughout the UK over the next five years.
Founder
Driven by a visionary desire to revolutionise mobility, Richard Stobart founded char.gy with a simple yet powerful goal: to own an electric vehicle (EV) while living in a home without a driveway. At the time, he was working at Unboxed.co, an innovative agency specialising in digital solutions for government and commercial sectors.
This experience facilitated the rapid prototyping of software solutions, while his determination propelled the development of a hardware product that addressed the pressing need for EV charging solutions for those relying on public infrastructure.
Stobart and Unboxed partnered with smaller suppliers to swiftly prototype the hardware and within two years, char.gy installed its first product on a lamppost in Marlow. This milestone marked the beginning of a transformative journey to make EV charging accessible to all.
At char.gy, it believes that integrating ESG factors into the business strategy is essential for fostering long-term sustainability and creating value for all stakeholders.
Environmental responsibility
The company is committed to environmental responsibility at the core of everything it does. It is driven by a vision of a cleaner, greener future and takes proactive steps to reduce its environmental impact. This is reflected in efforts to promote electric vehicle (EV) adoption and reduce carbon emissions through 100% renewable energy integration and sustainable operational practices.
In addition, it strives to positively impact society by making charging stations accessible to all, engaging with local communities through educational initiatives, the creation of jobs and ensuring the well-being of our employees.
Finally, it enforces a strong governance framework to uphold high ethical standards, transparency, and our board of directors actively oversees our ESG strategy, ensuring that it aligns with our corporate values and long-term goal. Download its carbon plan here.
Vauxhall
In addition, char.gy is partnered with Vauxhall Motors Ltd. in the Electric Streets of Britain campaign.
This initiative aims to support the transition to electric vehicles for the 40% of households without off-street parking, ensuring they’re not left behind in the UK’s electric transition.