New Charging network launching with Q Park UK

29620 Views 219 Replies 53 Participants Last post by Simon Wardle, Aug 24, 2016

Robert Byrne

Discussion Starter · Dec 7, 2015

I am pleased to announce that we have recently come to an agreement with Q Park to supply, install and operate fast (22KW) charging points across their 60 car parks. The new network will launch in February 2016, starting in Liverpool ONE and Manchester First st car parks. The network will be payable and users can access the network through our customer web portal, telephone and RFID cards (subscription only). The network will be the first in the UK to offer a one off payment at point service and this will be available through our web portal.

I look forward to receiving drivers comments and advice on the network. We anticipate initially installing 2 charging points per location.

Many thanks.

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Jack

· #2 · Dec 7, 2015

Robert Byrne said:
The network will be payable and users can access the network through our customer web portal, telephone and RFID cards (subscription only).

What about Q-Parks such as the one in Leeds that are underground (read no signal), how would we use them? Especially if its infrequent usage such that a subscription isn't a good economic idea.

Robert Byrne

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 7, 2015

Hi Jack,

Thanks for your email. Very valid point you are making.

This will be phased roll-out. Existing charging points will eventually be replaced with new hardware. Underground car parks with poor connectivity will have a VPN installed (free wifi). Users can then access the points via our customer web portal. More frequent users could register for a free RFID card. Guidance will be intuitive at the post. Q Park have said they want to keep the network uniform. We are hoping to be in all 60 car parks by 2019.

We are planning to incentivize drivers through giving them discounted car parking or 1 in 10 chargers for free.

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Jack

· #4 · Dec 7, 2015

At least its considered, in my experience a lot of these installs never consider the signal problems so you end up like the City Of London who can't justify fixing the points because nobody uses them, but nobody can use them because they don't have signal!

Also might be worth noting that, in the Merrion Centre Car Parks, you enter your ticket number into the charger controller, and the ticket machine automatically adds the EV charging to your ticket on exit - it might be one to consider as its infinitely less faff than RFID/App (even better if you can use Reg plate rather than ticket code)

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PaulMorris

· #5 · Dec 7, 2015

Oh no my another charge network :notworthy:

Glad to see payment at point as an option. Hopefully this is in an easy to use registration free mode e.g. Telephone pay to park style.

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Eugene Lambert

· #6 · Dec 7, 2015

I think one key to a successful EV charging infrastructure is a PAYG option for occasional users. That could charge a reasonable premium over the subscription model.

Also, comm failure modes should be considered, i.e. ideally, if communications fail the post should not prevent a charge. That way, the provider (Q Park) is incentivised to keep the post comms working, and a desperate EV driver who needs a charge doesn't end up on a low-loader.

Reactions: 5

Robert Byrne

Discussion Starter · #7 · Dec 7, 2015

Eugene Lambert said:
I think one key to a successful EV charging infrastructure is a PAYG option for occasional users. That could charge a reasonable premium over the subscription model.

Also, comm failure modes should be considered, i.e. ideally, if communications fail the post should not prevent a charge. That way, the provider (Q Park) is incentivised to keep the post comms working, and a desperate EV driver who needs a charge doesn't end up on a low-loader.

Hi Eugene,,

Thanks for your email.

In response to your request for one off charging, this is exactly what we are planning to offer. A one off payment at the point via Paypal, visa, google wallet etc.A small premium will be applicable for 'one off' charging.

Comm failure is something we will consider. However, we have a robust back office and payment system in place. We don't see comm failure being an problem as drivers have several lines of communication to access our technical support team.

Reactions: 3

Simon Hewison

· #8 · Dec 7, 2015

First in the UK to offer Pay at point of service? I think not. CYC have been doing telephone IVR, without a subscription for ages.
(admittedly, they charge a premium for that service, and it's not very well publicised, and it doesn't currently work for anything other than points that would otherwise be free with a CYC membership)

Paul_Moxhay

· #9 · Dec 7, 2015

Price?

Matt Beard

· #10 · Dec 7, 2015

So... yet another EV charging network, meaning yet another RFID card and probably in most cases another monthly or annual subscription required. Also, yet another mobile phone app and another website for checking when route-planning. Then yet again the familiar belief that a rock-solid back-end means that there can't be any comms issues and mobile phone or other systems are 100% reliable and work just as well at midnight in a damp underground car park as they do in the lab. Add to this the chances that the phoneline will be running 24/7 and able to help...? Q-Park manage 73 car parks in the UK it seems so it is difficult to see how you could make enough to man the line out of hours.

Reactions: 1

Matt Beard

· #11 · Dec 7, 2015

http://www.franklinenergy.co.uk/smart-phone-app/ said:
The smart phone app communicates with our back office via the cloud, sending a signal to each charging point every 2 seconds to check its status.

Really? So every charger on the network will be polled by every phone user every two seconds? Wow!!

rez_p

· #12 · Dec 7, 2015

Matt Beard said:
Really? So every charger on the network will be polled by every phone user every two seconds? Wow!!

That's not what is says. Back office contacts all charge points every two second; your smart phone app can communicate with the back office.

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UKTechie

· #13 · Dec 7, 2015

22KW, Do these operate on the Rapid type plugs then so tethered? Q-Park charge enough to park, hope it is worthy of the extra.

Belstar

· #14 · Dec 7, 2015

I can't see this as being worthwhile for anybody. Nobody on here is thinking, "Gosh, I wish I had another RFID card to add to my collection". Nor is anybody thinking, "I wish I could have another app or web interface to play with when trying to get a charger to start". I certainly won't be fumbling around with a completely new system just for one chain of car parks.

Why not do something really impressive and get the chargers to talk to the parking systems? AFAIK Q-park just use standard SKIDATA kit, which is pretty flexible with regard to additional costs/discounts. APT already make a multi charger solution that can integrate with SKIDATA parking systems. So then why bother having a completely separate system, when I can just scan my parking ticket to start a charge and have the cost automatically added onto my parking? Then I'd use it.

As it is, I think you'll find that your chargers rarely get used - if even die-hard EVers on here are dissuaded then imagine what the average casual driver will think. The chargers will be unused, the spaces will get ICEd accordingly and everybody will be worse off. Back to the drawing board, please.

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Reactions: 5

Eugene Lambert

· #15 · Dec 7, 2015

If we can pay for coffees by waving debit cards, why can't we pay for charging the same way? The technology exists, just integrate it with the chargers.

Reactions: 5

Robert Byrne

Discussion Starter · #16 · Dec 7, 2015

Thank for the input guys.

The reason why we will initially be offering a separate payment service is that the assets will be owned and managed by Franklin. Q Park want to completely outsource EV charging and have no responsibility for the network.

The process from logging on to the web portal and initiating the charging process will take approximately 90 seconds. We also plan to offer interoperability with other existing networks via plug surf and New Motion.

I definitely agree with the contactless payment, our suppliers are working on this. ABB currently provide this in their Terra 53's and we will definitely be using ABB when we get some Rapids up and running.

Reactions: 5

memesweeper

· #17 · Dec 7, 2015

Hope this is a success. As you say car park operators want a 100% outsourced job and you're trying at least to keep it accessible to all, and reasonably priced for regulars. Good luck.

Reactions: 1

Paul_Moxhay

· #18 · Dec 7, 2015

Still no price?

Jools

· #19 · Dec 8, 2015

Price is key.......

We have a BEV and a PHEV

We currently have free car park charging in Plymouth and Exeter, thanks to PodPoint and the local councils

If we are in the Leaf, and a charger is free then we will top up - we need about 50% to get back from Exeter, and 30% to get there....... So a round trip is possible without a charge, but it reduces the stress levels!

With the Golf GTE, we will be nearly empty on arrival, so to keep EV'ing, we will need a charge.

The leaf charges at 32A, and has a 24KWh battery
The GTE charges at 16A, and has a 9KWh battery

If the charge is by KW, then the charges will be fair
"Admin" charges make short charges ridiculously expensive.

I used to use a Polar instant near to work for 30min charges whilst I was shopping - their £1.20 charge makes this uneconomic, I might as well just use the ICE in the GTE.

Getting the pricing right, and making them easy to use is key to having a system that is well used. It's pointless installing them just to have them stand idle.

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Reactions: 5

planetf1

· #20 · Dec 8, 2015

Price is key of course, especially where as a driver I would look at the overall cost of park+charge, and the convenience. A premium location means £ can be higher, but an already high parking charge in an "ok" location with lots of alternatives would make a high charge price tricky to swallow.

You mentioned new motion and plug-surf. I think roaming will definately happen more and more.. Are there other UK networks using these yet? The "big" network I consider so far are ecotricity, polar, pod-point ... then all the more local schemes. frustrating -- though since you're offering PAYG that's fine (and fair to charge more compared to subscription)

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