195 - The New Charger Install Episode
About this episode
Gary chats with Dean Header from Vital EV about the complexities behind installing public EV chargers. They unpack Vital EV's role as an enabler working with charge point operators, hardware suppliers, and site owners to design, install, and maintain charging infrastructure. Dean highlights challenges like limited power capacity at sites, the lengthy process with distribution network operators, and the importance of future-proofing installations. They also discuss the evolving market, service contracts for reliability, and how Vital EV supports a range of charging solutions from workplace AC to megawatt DC chargers for commercial fleets.
In Episode 195 Gary looks at one of those companies that works behind the scenes to actually get chargers in the ground - Vital EV. We talk to head of Business Development, Dean Hedger.
What do they actually do? How much influence do they have on charger design, and how do they decide on the hardware they use?
Guest Details: Dean Hedger
Dean has spent more than 30 years in the motor industry gaining experience across fleet management, leasing, breakdown and commercial vehicles. His electric vehicle knowledge and dedication to EVs allows him to advise on infrastructure, charging equipment, maintenance, and procurement. Dean has an innovative focus and has delivered new product and services innovation throughout his career. A regular contributor on industry webinars, podcasts and round table discussions.
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Links in the show notes:
- Honda Motocompacto Scooter: In-Depth Ride And Review - - Cool Thing
Episode produced by Arran Sheppard at Urban Podcasts: https://www.urbanpodcasts.co.uk
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Partner Peugeot Partner
"...hings like the Citroen, Berlingo electric and the Peugeot partner. And I was always involved in you know, helping c..."
Citroen Berlingo
"Hello, Gary. This goes this goes back a bit actually my career spans back through many kind of automotive iterations, shall we say? No, I would say that it started off in the probably the, the 90s really when I joined what was a very small company called Elton vehicle contracts that turned into first national that ended up becoming the behemoth that his Lex but I was looking after the public sector customers in those days and there was early adoption towards electric vehicles, things like the Citroen, Berlingo electric and the Peugeot partner. And I was always involved in you know, helping customers understand innovations in the market. I remember going to see the modeC vehicle and riding in that. And it was all around those sort of, you know, the trough that sort of 90s in the 2000s. And then I think the jobs subsequently have seen me involved with alphabet with BMW and the Alpha electric products that we had there. The AA through the development side put in place around the call support for ChargePoint operators. And yeah, and then now obviously a Vital EV absolutely at the sharp end helping people build their EV charging infrastructure. So yeah, there's a bit of a backstory. And it leads me very nicely on to your work at Vital EV. Now, I must admit, I struggled to understand the different roles on the charger install universe. I mean, I look at someone like Osprey charging or Gridserve. And they have chargers at sites that they've built and they're charge point operators. Then I look at people like say, Craig Hibbert from EV civils. And they've put chargers at sites, but they're not CPOs. But then I look at companies like ABB, Kempower, Circontrol, Alpitronic. And they've got charges at sites, but they're just hardware supplies. And then in the middle of that there are these companies which is where I think Vital EV fits. Your you build the sites but you're not a CPO, you sell the hardware, but you're not a hardware manufacturer. Talk me through that whole process. So I know who sits where."
Honda Ev Fits
"... are these companies which is where I think Vital EV fits. Your you build the sites but you're not a CPO, y..."
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