Co Charger sets sights on taxi and PHV industry as the solution to widespread taxi charging access
Electric chargepoint firm Co Charger has set their sights on the taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) industry, as they aim to provide a solution to widespread taxi charging access.
Community charging is now beginning to arrive at the forefront of the electric vehicle (EV) charging industry after the concept broke just three years ago.
Having invented the concept of community charging, Co Charger has already become the third biggest charging network in the UK in just under two years. The network are now using that success to help the taxi and private hire industry to accelerate their own transition to electric.
The concept of the platform is a simple one. It enables those with private electric vehicle chargers to rent them out to neighbours on a regular, dependable and affordable basis - making money and helping their communities in the process.
It is estimated that there are over 400,000 under-utilised private chargers in the UK, which is ten times the number of public chargers available.
For those drivers without access to local home-based charging, the money and time lost to charging their vehicle while on-shift has been noted as one of the negatives when choosing to go fully electric. Charger availability, speed, reliability and pricing are well-publicised problems for everyone, but to a professional needing to charge daily these issues can be deal-breakers. Using Co Charger rather than public charge points can save a cabbie over £100 and 20 hours every month.
Joel Teague, CEO of Co Charger, said: “What became very obvious from talking to so many people in the taxi and private hire industry was that Co Charger’s network of Hosts will be a massive part of their electrification approach.
“The ability to charge while off-shift at home via Co Charger means shorter, more profitable working days. The ability to book and leave the vehicle for a period of time that is convenient – rather than having to be there when the charge completes – means they effectively have a home charge point.”
Co Charger are currently engaging with suppliers, associations, press, operators and drivers to get the word out. Their aims are threefold:
Solve the immediate problem for drivers already dependent on public charging
Enable more drivers to switch to electric earlier, reducing emissions in the process
Improve driver wellbeing, finances and job satisfaction.
Most people in the UK are now within a mile of a Co Charger Host, it’s free to create an account, and the platform automatically notifies the user when a Host sets up nearby.
Teague added: “We made this solution simple and free to set up so that we can get more fossil fuel vehicles off the road sooner. We’re always keen to talk to anyone in the industry who is interested in using Community Charging to do this.”
