The collaboration is an industry first and demonstrates the potential for the EV charging industry to help shape a more sustainable energy landscape.
Under the terms of an initial two-year ‘flexibility tender’ agreement, Ubitricity, a wholly owned subsidiary of Shell, will implement a pioneering pilot program across a number of its public EV charge points to shift a significant portion of network utilisation for EV charging away from peak times. This will reduce strain on the electricity grid during periods of high demand.
As EV ownership grows, high volumes of drivers charging at the same time of day, for example after work, will create a surge in demand at a time when there is already high electricity usage. Ubitricity is demonstrating how innovative approaches to managing when people charge can help the grid to cope, whilst still providing convenient and fairly priced charging.
While smart charging is available with some home chargers, Ubitricity says it is the first company to introduce it at scale on a public charging network. By actively managing the charging schedule of its charge points and promoting solutions such as its smart charging, which allows customers to schedule charging sessions to pause during peak hours (4-7pm) over the winter period, the company will support UKPN to alleviate pressure on the electricity grid. This approach aligns with Ubitricity’s mission to create a sustainable future and promote responsible EV charging - which can reduce stress on the electricity grid, particularly at peak times.
"This agreement will directly contribute to lowering CO2 emissions by reducing demands on the grid at peak times, when fossil fuels are most likely to be used to generate electricity,” said Toby Butler, managing director at Ubitricity UK. “We are proud to be the first fully public charging network engaging with electricity distributors to actively shift charging demand away from peak times, optimising EV charging infrastructure for the benefit of the grid and the environment.”
