We Speak To A Company With An UNUSUAL Approach To EV Charging Tech

When out filming in the South West, it's always interesting to speak to people we come across. In this video, we speak to Mark Sanders-Barwick who we came across when filming some segments for the channel. He works for ZPN Energy and so we decided to speak to him about what the company is doing to improve the EV charging experience.
Disclaimer: We have no affiliation or financial connection to ZPN Energy.
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About The Channel:
Dave Takes It On was founded in 2023 and focuses primarily on content about electric vehicles and issues that impact drivers. Dave is based in the North West of the UK and owns a Tesla Model S. He regularly travels around the country, so if you see him feel free to say hello. The channel is supported by his son Jonas, who supports with thumbnails, titles, and technical aspects of the channel.
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Tags:
#electricvehicles #evcharging #zpn #davetakesiton

[@thelaserhive3368]

Thank goodness to find someone building in accessibility from day one

[@marky147]

Really interesting stuff, especially as someone who is disabled. The cost will be worth the convenience, for me.

[@mowermanone1621]

Very interesting information, thank you Dave.

[@kimedwards3937]

The battery just spreads load load over 24 hours. As we know charger are not used for 24 hours day. Bit like filling a swimming pool. You can fill in half hour with 6 inch hose or fill it with 1 inch hose over 24 hours.

[@marvinsamuels1237]

Interesting to hear ZPN's plans.

[@paulhenshall7849]

What a scoop Dave

[@mikeselectricstuff]

The problem with the idea of bringing charge to people at home at night is that many/most(?) cars need to be unlocked to open the charge port

[@brianwright9983]

With the mg4 if you open the charge port and then lock the car you can close the charge port and it's not locked. Possibly the same on other cars.

[@plasticcreations7836]

Sounds like a great company and they seem to be doing good work. The disappointing part for me is that accessibility hasn't been built into EV chargers by all companies from the start. IMO just goes to prove that the equality laws aren't worth the paper they are printed on.

[@johniooi3954]

Kempower portable chargers for things like events, such as festivals. Same as Norway have some charging hubs fed by containers with batteries where grid is not up to required standard.

[@garrycroft4215]

Unfortunately people that can’t charge at home will not pay £20 month for 15kWh then £1.10 kWh three days later when the 15kWh has been used. Not outside of London anyway.

[@elmoreastro2929]

That sounds like a lot of money to me. I’m fortunate that I can charge at home. My car has a 60kWh battery and using overnight tariffs a full charge costs me, converted into Sterling, £2.47. Even on the peak daytime tariff it would only cost £8.37. This scheme would charge £69.50, which is twice what I would pay for petrol to travel the same distance in my previous Mazda. Ouch!

[@garrycroft4215]

@@elmoreastro2929 yes that’s exactly correct. ✅

[@stephengowler5360]

Really interesting Dave. Many thanks

[@Jaw0lf]

Interesting chat and an interesting solution!

[@AdamAugustPhoto]

I think the battery balancing tech is very interesting and would certainly take pressure off DNO connections, but I can't see a massive public demand for mobile charging. 50kWh is realistically only going to fill one car up & maybe top up 2 or 3.

[@nervousfrog101]

That mobile service could be handy when on Holiday. I always try and get accommodation with a charger but i's not always possible. With that service I could drive to my Holiday accommodation and then just get them to come to me and charge the car up while I've got my feet up.

[@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834]

very very interesting Dave. I see Gridserve as grabbing big business, to lock out competition. Typical.

[@dbdavbass15]

Hi, keep up the good work 😃 Gridserve are installing 4 chargers at the new Starbucks ( 2.5 miles south on A 426) in Rugby. Not what sure what the rating is, still behind fences. Plus Houlton housing estate just on the edge of Rugby has installed some 7 kw chargers in a couple of places on the estate. 🧐

[@CGNorwich]

Really interesting information. Good work!

[@stevenbarrett7648]

Some great idea’s charging as a service, I’ve never thought of that before someone rocking up at night, charge your car and away you go in the morning, nice. Mobile charging vehicle is good for those running out of power too you would think the RAC, AA etc would be onto that within weeks rather than re-inventing the wheel with their own ‘solutions’ this sounds like its ready to go and a standard for all breakdown companies. Pulling in power from all available sources sounds cool too, solar farm, wind local battery storage sounds like a plan, no need for a grid connection if you get the figures right

[@nikkosy5439]

My concern would be having to unlock the car to allow them to open the charger flap…how does that work in the middle of the night? Am I expected to give them a key (physical or otherwise)?

[@MrGMawson2438]

Cheers guys

[@Whereswally606]

Couldnt help thinking that Dom Jolly of trigger happy tv has started a energy solutions company.

[@sa432jh]

Looks like Dave’s brother

[@prjackson7802]

Great video

[@solentbum]

The Buffer battery idea is already in use at some Gridserve sites. The big problem with EV charging is the archaic way in which the UK electricity supply system works., As I understand it there has been some government action to change the way in which DNOs work and how supplies are prioritised. Mr Sanders-Barwick misses a point with his dismissal of slow chargers, Whilst they are not of much use for 'bird on the wing' charging at M/Way services, there are dozens of places where car drivers are not in a hurry. Perhaps even the Service area staff?

[@harvardan]

I took a look at ZPN's youtube channel, they have a number of short videos featuring people at a queue at Exeter. They nearly all mention ZapMap but for some unknown reason they're all stupidly waiting there. I can't understand why they would wait if they were 2nd or 3rd in the queue when ZapMap shows other chargers in the local area and also en-route (depending on where they're going). Your whole mantra is that you never wait to charge, so I don't understand why these people are. Perhaps 4-6 months ago when they filmed it, there were less options, but now Sainsbury's have opened 2 hubs in Exeter alone.

[@MrGMawson2438]

That sounds good for a lot of people

[@djtaylorutube]

So, like a Tesla Mega pack then.

[@keithdenton8386]

25 minutes average Tesla charge. 45 minutes other cars. WHo in their right minds would not but a Tesla. They are so superior to the rest.

[@nikkosy5439]

If only it were all a question of charging speed eh! Teslas aren’t the solution for all drivers. They may be great for many, but they don’t fit the bill for others, me included. With a dog, a M3 was out of the question. A MY might have worked, but for the fact that the monthly cost was around £200 more than my choice, a BMW. Each to their own 😉

[@kennshearer526]

On the surface that is a sensible comment 😃 However charge time is the problem of the infrastructure (in this case Gridserve) not the car. Apart from this most of us do 90%+ of our charging at home. As far as I know Tesla chargers (apart from a few new sites) do not support commercial vehicles.

[@MrGMawson2438]

Hello mate

[@pppscooby]

I like the idea of mobile charging in emergencies but can’t see people wanting to charge at over a £1 kwh on a regular basis. Should have asked him what type of fuel his recovery vehicles would be using.

[@ZPNEnergy]

All of our vehicles carrying ZAPME units will be electric.

[@markemsworth4235]

1:19 Utter madness. You'll look back at this in 2035 and say....what an utter embarrassment. EV was the BetaMax of the vehicle world.

[@PJWey]

😂 😅 yes of course, or perhaps Hybrid is the Betamax and EV is the future 😊

[@markemsworth4235]

@@PJWey ...Review your comment in 2035. You remember that song? "You're an embarrassment"