A-to-Z EV Rally: Team Compleo

With the EV Rally nearly upon us, GREENFLEET caught up with Clare Nicol, Head of Marketing & Comms at Compleo Charging Solutions UK, about the team's preparations and what participants can expect at the Compleo-hosted check point on day two

We are delighted to have Team Compleo join us on the EV Rally this year. As an introduction, please tell us a little about your company and what you offer? 

Put simply, we’re the EV charging experts. We’ve been providing EV charging solutions for businesses since 2009, and there are currently tens of thousands of our charge points installed right across the UK and Europe.

Trusted by Audi, Volvo, APCOA, Network Rail and more to provide reliable EV charging for their staff and customers, we’ve built an enviable reputation for quality and service.

Our state-of-the-art EV charge points are designed and manufactured at our global headquarters in Germany to be simple to install, easy to manage and maintain, and above all, provide a speedy, reliable and effortless charging experience for drivers.

From smart and sleek AC chargers right up to ultra-fast DC charging stations, there’s a Compleo charge point to suit every site, need or application. And we provide all of the software, training and support to make managing them a breeze.

Based in the heart of leafy Oxfordshire, our UK team works hand-in-hand with businesses to ensure that they have the right chargers in the right places, and the right tools and support in place to get the best out of them.

We’re huge EV evangelists here at Compleo, and believe that the charging experience should match the driving experience. We’re on a mission to ensure that it does!

This is the first year Compleo is taking part in the EV Rally - why have you decided to get involved?

We’re really pleased to be part of the A-Z EV Rally this year. It’s not only a brilliant way to demonstrate to the nation that electric vehicles are more than ready to meet everyday needs, but also highlights the rapid advancement of the UK charging infrastructure.

Compleo have entered two EVs into the rally this year, which will be an opportunity for us to invite guests to experience driving and charging these fantastic vehicles for themselves. There is no better way to increase awareness, understanding and acceptance than through first-hand experience. 

We’re also looking forward to networking and sharing the EV Rally experience with partners, suppliers and industry peers. We firmly believe that events like this are the best way to spark ideas and establish collaborations that drive innovation and positive change in the sector.

We share the EV Rally’s mission of promoting sustainable transportation in the UK and therefore couldn’t be more proud to be involved.

Compleo will be showcasing one of its installations on the Rally - where is it and what can teams expect when they get there?

Our team is particularly excited about the opportunity to showcase one of our latest/flagship installations. 

As sponsor of the ‘Juice by Compleo’ checkpoint on Day 2 of the Rally, we’ll be welcoming rally participants to Tingley Garden Centre, near Leeds, where they’ll have the opportunity to experience just how reliable and efficient our chargers are in real-world conditions. 

With 56 EV chargers – including 2 50kW DC chargers, and 54 22kW AC chargers, Tingley garden centre is a flagship site for us and perfectly showcases the benefits of destination charging – parking time is charging time!

We’ll be offering a warm Compleo welcome, plenty of refreshments, and of course free access to our chargers for the duration of their stay. We’ll also have some other activities and surprises lined up, so it will be well-worth drivers making time in their schedule for a leisurely re-charge!

The Rally is over 1,400 miles and this year will be visiting towns and checkpoints from A to Z in alphabetical order. What do you anticipate the challenges will be?

The EV Rally team has pulled out all the stops this year with the A-Z journey plan. With so many scenic routes, exciting cities and interesting checkpoints along the way, we think the biggest challenge is going to be finding a balance between choosing the most time-efficient route and experiencing everything the event has to offer!

Why are events like the EV Rally important for driving up EV adoption?

We are going through a substantial transition period in the transport sector, and change is often difficult. As with any new technology, there is naturally some hesitancy to accept EVs and this new way of re-fuelling, without fully understanding the implications. It’s human nature.

However, there is a great deal of misinformation and misunderstanding about both EVs and public charging that is clouding peoples’ judgement, and that needs addressing before we can expect drivers to convert. 

Events like the EV Rally play a vital role in raising awareness about the capabilities of EVs. They provide a platform to demonstrate that owning and driving an EV isn’t an inconvenience but rather a practical and efficient alternative to traditional vehicles. 

By showcasing the reliability and ease of use of EVs in real-world conditions, as well as the extent of the UK public charging network (which is, incidentally, at over 60,000 charge points at present!) the EV Rally helps to dispel myths and misconceptions, encouraging more people to consider making the switch.

Please tell us about Compleo's future plans and how it can help fleets with their net-zero ambitions?   

Compleo is committed to supporting fleets in achieving their net-zero ambitions through our innovative and reliable EV charging solutions. Our future plans are focused on expanding our range of high-quality AC and DC chargers, enhancing our software technology, and increasing our presence in key markets.

One of our key initiatives is the continued rollout of our latest eTower 200, which can simultaneously charge two vehicles with up to 200 kW DC. This cutting-edge solution is designed to meet the growing demands of fleets, providing efficient and rapid charging options that minimise downtime and maximise operational efficiency.

We are also investing heavily in research and development to ensure our solutions remain at the forefront of technology. This includes the development of smart charging solutions that can integrate seamlessly with fleet management systems, providing real-time data and analytics to optimise charging schedules and reduce overall energy costs.

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