In this month’s Face to Face we speak with Robert Stuart-Walker, EVCP NPD Manager at Sync Energy, and find out more about the future of the EV market.

How and when was Sync Energy established?

Sync Energy began life as Sync EV, which was founded in 2009 with a very clear focus on practical, installer-friendly solutions. In 2022, the business was acquired by Luceco Group, which marked a real turning point for the brand. That acquisition brought broader engineering, compliance and manufacturing capability, alongside long-established relationships across the electrical wholesale and contractor market.

In 2024, the brand evolved from Sync EV into Sync Energy. That change was about more than just a new name. It reflected a wider ambition. EV charging was no longer seen as a standalone product, but as part of a connected home energy system that can include inverters, battery storage, solar power diverters, smart apps and smart tariff integration.

Throughout those transitions, one thing has remained consistent, putting installers first. Every product decision is driven by how easy it is to install, set up and hand over. That runs from intuitive wiring layouts and flexible mounting options through to clear commissioning steps and an app that installers can confidently walk customers through at the end of a job.

The goal has always been to make installations simpler, reduce call-backs, and help installers deliver a better overall experience for their customers.

How do you see the future of the EV charging market?

The market is moving quickly from “can I charge at home?” to “how do I charge smarter?”. Hardware will always matter, but software, connectivity and energy awareness are becoming just as important.

Looking ahead, EV chargers will increasingly sit alongside home energy management systems and need to interact with smart tariffs. The challenge is making those systems work together without adding complexity for installers.

EV chargers are becoming a critical part of grid stability locally and nationally to avoid spikes of grid power requiring less renewable energy sources.

Our approach is to offer a simple, connected solution where everything can be managed through one easy-to-use app. That avoids complex commissioning processes and the need for multiple apps to control home energy and EV charging.

What are some of the built-in features that are making EV chargers smarter and more powerful?

Connectivity is a big one. App-based control allows users to schedule charging, track energy usage and understand costs far more clearly. From our perspective, those features also need to be quick and straightforward for installers to set up and test before leaving site.

Tariff awareness, solar integration and smarter load management are becoming standard expectations, but we are careful to design them in a way that doesn’t overcomplicate installation or handover. If an installer can’t explain a feature in a couple of minutes, we see that as a design problem, not an installer problem.

What are some of the key considerations when selecting an EV charger for home or commercial use?

Reliability and compliance come first, particularly from an installer’s point of view. Contractors need confidence that a product will perform as expected and won’t lead to unnecessary call-backs.

Ease of installation is another major factor. Simple Wiring, flexible mounting options and a logical commissioning process make a real difference on site. For homeowners, usability is key, but that starts with how easily the installer can get everything set up in the first place.

In commercial settings, PAS accessibility compliance, scalability and monitoring become more important, but the same principle applies. If a system is easy for an installer to deploy and manage, it is usually easier for the end user too. 

What is the Flow Energy Management System?

Sync Energy Flow is our complete home energy management system, designed to give homeowners clear, intelligent control over how energy is generated, stored and used in the home. At its core, Flow brings together hybrid inverters, modular battery storage, EV charging and solar power diverters, all managed through the Sync Energy app.

The idea is simple. Rather than elements of the home energy system working in silos, Flow allows everything to work together. Solar generation, battery storage and optional EV charging are all controlled in one place, making it easier to maximise energy use.

For homeowners, Flow offers the flexibility to grow the system over time as their needs change. For installers, it has been designed to be straightforward to specify, install and expand, with modular components that help reduce complexity on site.

Flow isn’t about adding unnecessary technology. It’s about giving people smarter control, future-proofing home energy setups, and making the move to more sustainable living easier for both installers and end users.

What are Sync Energy’s long-term aims and objectives?

Long term, our focus is on supporting the transition to smarter, more flexible energy use, while continuing to put installers at the centre of everything we design.

That means investing in products that are quicker to install, simpler to commission and easier to support once they are in the field. We are constantly looking at ways to reduce friction on site, whether that’s through clearer documentation, better app workflows or smarter product design.

For Sync Energy, it’s about delivering a complete, connected solution that makes sustainable charging accessible, practical and installer friendly.

Find out more about Sync Energy here

Catch up on previous ‘Face to Face’ articles here

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Daniel Forsberg, Marketing Manager for EVSE at CTEK, addresses the need for smarter messaging to help boost smart EV charging.

According to a UK government commissioned study, what smart charging is and what it can do are still not widely understood. The report – Electric Vehicle smart charging: consumer research – recommends communicating how smart charging works and the benefits of individual lower electricity bills and the collective contribution to the nation’s grid management and greener energy.

A group effort 

The research behind the report, by the Energy Saving Trust, examined the current evidence base and interviewed 30 current and prospective EV drivers and fleet managers before six focus groups explored what the best messaging could be.

The Trust defines smart charging as charging EVs when electricity demand is lower or when there is more supply than demand. Smart charging can be achieved by pre-setting an EV to charge overnight, for instance, or with the time of charging controlled by an App or by ceding control to the energy provider.

The study found existing EV owners who charge at home had the best understanding of smart charging, with research suggesting 70-90% already smart charge – mostly by using cheaper overnight charging.

Smart charging was much less prevalent at the workplace, with just 12% of EV drivers who charge at work able to schedule their own charging.

Fleet managers were found to be struggling to see how smart charging might work and be beneficial for their organisations. They’re currently focussed on transitioning their fleets to electric and not on optimising how they’re charged.

When the researchers asked their subjects if they understood the various types of electricity tariffs offered by suppliers and how they might enable smart charging, there were mixed results.

• Time of use tariffs, sometimes known in the UK as ‘Economy 7’, had good awareness and understanding, including the benefits of cheaper charging.
• Dynamic tariffs, where the electricity price varies based on grid-wide supply and demand, didn’t have as high awareness.
• Type of use tariffs, with cheaper electricity for defined uses such as EV charging, were easily understood. That said, environmental benefits are less likely with these tariffs.

It’s encouraging that participants in the study were positive about smart charging and consider it worthwhile. They can grasp the benefits of paying less for charging whilst helping the nation towards its environmental goals by making the most of renewably sourced energy at times when supply is higher than demand.

When the researchers asked their focus groups to evaluate smart charging messaging, and each group sought to improve on what their peers had previously refined in earlier meetings, ‘how it works’ was found to be an essential starting point.

Clear communication 

Explaining different tariffs was found to help, whilst messages about cost savings were motivational. Communicating the savings from smart charging versus dumb was more effective than not, while combining cost saving and environmental benefits was a “win-win”.

The report concludes: ‘The main misconceptions around smart charging stemmed from lack of understanding of the principles and technology, leading participants to worry about the effort involved and the reliability of smart charging. As such, messages highlighting ease and convenience were well received.’

That is a challenge and an opportunity for all of us in the EV ecosystem, including smart-enabled chargepoint manufacturers such as CTEK, to communicate coherently, whenever we can, what smart charging is and its clear and achievable benefits.

For more information, click here

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With 35 years of expertise in manufacturing, Rolec is a trusted name in the EV, leisure and marina industries. We hear how the company is now taking the next step with a range of research backed solutions that tick all the boxes.

Being the chosen hardware suppliers for big names in the industry since its establishment. Rolec’s product range has always been expansive – and it’s now bigger, better, and bolder than before.

Rolec is passionate about driving the EV industry forward and has been emboldened by conversations with installers, wholesalers and customers who have watched the company grow over the past three decades.

The easiest charger to install

Rolec has built close relationships with its global team of electrical contractors, giving unique insight into customers’ needs and preferences for creating a unit that is more installation-friendly than ever before. EVO features a highly modular design with three key components: a base, a click-in module, and a cover that provides easy access for installers. This practical and efficient design allows for quick, hassle-free installation and configuration in as little as 15 minutes, while the CT clamp’s plug-and-play capability further reduces installation time.

The EVO will always prioritise stable and efficient charging. Supporting dynamic load balancing as standard and 3-to-1 phase switching (22kW model only), the unit can adjust its charger output based on the property’s available electricity usage, preventing grid overload, optimising energy use, and protecting the power supply, for easy charging and peace of mind.

The introduction of EVO also marks the arrival of a new way to solar charge. With three charging modes: CHARGE NOW (Plug & Go), ECO (solar + grid), and ECO+ (surplus solar only), EVO offers flexibility to suit any lifestyle.

With the ECO+ smart solar feature, EVO can detect and allocate surplus solar energy generated at home to charge the electric vehicle, creating an opportunity for cost-free charging. EVO also comes with an extended five-year manufacturer’s warranty.

RolecConnect

RolecConnect is an all-in-one software service designed to help installers work smarter and faster. With all current information on product specifications and configuration in one place, this app is the hub of knowledge for all Rolec products and free to use for all Rolec contractors.

RolecConnect is more than just a knowledge base — the platform captures every single step of the installation process, offering tailored support and guidance at every turn. A wealth of information is just a few clicks away once the business is registered.

The LeadConnect platform utilises each unique installer profile to match installation or maintenance leads in the area. From there, users can manage current projects, conduct EV-tailored site surveys, and generate customer quotations instantly. That means no more hunting around for wholesale prices. The ‘See it Before you Build It’ augmented reality (AR) feature gives installers the power to visualise installations before breaking ground, levelling up site planning tools.

Once the installation is complete, everything needed for successful product configuration is on hand. All the up-to-date information required to streamline installation is within reach, reducing unit set-up time from start to finish to as little as 15 minutes. However, if any issues should arise, get instant answers. From product specific FAQs to technical troubleshooting, all the information is available in RolecConnect. RolecConnect’s in-app AI assistant ‘Zuzu’ has been absorbing all the knowledge from every area of the business to become the ultimate installer sidekick.

The work doesn’t end once the installation is complete and neither do RolecConnect’s in-app features. The SupportConnect platform has been engineered to give full visibility and management of post installation services, helping keep an eye on customer warranty and maintenance plans once the initial project is complete with reminders and notifications.

Installers are encouraged to engage with each other and build their community. The Installer Forum acts as Rolec’s connected community of electrical contractors, giving a unique opportunity to network with fellow professionals and share expertise.

RolecConnect won’t just connect peers online, it also brings installers to in-person training and resources, allowing them to stay ahead of the curve by attending tailor-made training courses curated for professional development.

Valued partners

In today’s fast-moving, volatile market, staying focused and having an exceptional team is more important than ever. Rolec wants to say a huge ‘thank you’ to is valued wholesale and contractor partners, as well as customers, who continue to champion Rolec and whose feedback has been invaluable.

For further information, click here

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EVO is the newest member of Rolec’s electric family. Affordable, modern, and compliant, EVO is the first of a new generation of home chargers.

EVO features a highly modular design with three key components: a base, a click-in module, and a cover that provides easy access for installers. This practical and efficient design allows for quick, hassle-free installation and configuration in as little as 15 minutes, while the CT clamp’s plug-and-play capability further reduces installation time.

Available in 7.4kW and 22kW models, it offers an easy-to-use, fully compatible charging solution for all EVs and PHEVs. But, more than that, it is a powerful and compact charger that makes itself at home in any setting. Equipped with a passive cooling system that uses an aluminum heat sink to guarantee a safe maximum charging rate, the EVO has a customisable LED indicator to display clear charging status, providing personalisation and enhanced accessibility.

The EVO will always prioritise stable and efficient charging. Supporting dynamic load balancing as standard and 3-to-1 phase switching, the unit can adjust its charger output based on a property’s available electricity usage, preventing grid overload, optimising energy use, and protecting power supply. With three charging modes: Charge Now (plug and go), ECO (solar + grid), and ECO+ (surplus solar only), EVO offers flexibility to suit any lifestyle.

The introduction of EVO also marks the arrival of a new way to solar charge. With the eco+ smart solar feature, EVO can detect and allocate surplus solar energy generated from the home to charge an electric vehicle, creating an opportunity for zero-cost charging.

Find out more here

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Building on the strength and success of their ongoing partnership, Rolec and Sinexcel have launched the UltraCharge 30, the most compact and affordable 30kW DC rapid charger coming to the market. Purpose-built and designed to meet the evolving needs of businesses, councils, fleets, and destinations.

The UltraCharge 30 is a versatile, future-proof EV charging solution, whether wall or pedestal-mounted, the unit offers up to 30kW power output in a space-efficient design. Delivering up to 10-80% charge in under 1.5 hours. With 96% peak efficiency, it optimises energy use, speeding up charging times and maximising ROI. It’s beneficial for sites looking to integrate a robust and rapid EV infrastructure.

The UltraCharge 30 features the same trusted controller used in the popular UltraCharge 160, ensuring both reliability and performance. Its competitive pricing makes it an accessible option, minimising upfront costs while providing ease of installation.

It combines proven technology with modern advancements to deliver a powerful and cost-effective solution. Compliant with the PAS 1899 accessible charging standard, it’s an ideal solution for destinations where accessibility is essential for serving a diverse customer base.

The UltraCharge 30 features a CCS2 charging connector for fast and reliable compatibility with a wide range of electric vehicles. For seamless operation and data management, the unit supports both 4G and Ethernet connectivity methods, ensuring consistent communication and control. Businesses can benefit from bespoke branding and colour options, whether it’s adding a logo or creating a fully custom design.

Find out more here

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A look at the latest display solutions to help increase your in-store purchases.

DIFFERENT SPACES 

Aurora Lighting has launched a range of new point of sale units for customers looking to enhance their in-branch displays.

Aurora’s new selection of point of sale displays allow branches to showcase the company’s recently expanded and comprehensive range of products. Aurora understands that not every trade counter is the same and that a one-size-fits-all isn’t always suitable, so has launched a selection of different solutions. The new five tier cardboard shelving unit allows branches with more space to display a range of different products. For those with less space, window sticks, shelf talkers and branded header boards are also available, allowing staff to be more flexible when merchandising stock.

Enlite is back!

Last year saw the launch of Enlite, Aurora’s trade friendly range of cost effective lighting, and the popular Fire Rated Downlight is now supported by a Trade Ten Pack. The Trade Packs can be displayed in an eye-catching floor display, which is convenient for the contractor when visiting the trade counter. Both the Aurora and Enlite floor displays are easy to move, offering added flexibility.

Seren

Last year Aurora launched Seren, a versatile and installer-friendly EV charger that seamlessly integrates dynamic lighting, a nod towards Aurora’s heritage. To support the product launch Aurora has also created a wall mounted display unit that not only demonstrates the key selling point of the product but also the unique LED light bar that can be demonstrated to both contractors and end-users.

Online Wholesale Portal

As well as in branch point of sale display, Aurora has launched a brand new online ordering platform that allows wholesalers to conveniently place orders online, check stock, browse new products and keep up to date with any promotional prices. If you would like to create an account, please contact Aurora’s Customer Service team who can provide you with your login details.

For further information on any of Aurora’s products, or point of sale displays, click here

Find more ‘Point of Sale’ articles here

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With more people choosing to switch to an electric car, consumers are demanding efficient ways to charge their vehicles at home.

Installing an EV wall charger, such as the BG Sync EV Wall Charger 2, now with integrated solar charging, from Luceco – is proving both a popular and money saving solution for consumers as well as a great upsell and customer lock-in opportunity for installers. Savvy wholesalers should prepare to meet demand.

With over 20,000 UK homes per month installing solar PV, an entirely new market is open to installers. Wholesalers can now offer them a truly efficient, value-for-money EV charger with a higher value set of features but within the same price point, and since integrated solar charging is already included, there may even be an opportunity to reduce stocking options.

Ingeniously, thanks to the intuitive smartphone app, homeowners can cut their home-based EV charging costs with the Sync EV Wall Charger 2. By utilising surplus solar energy from their existing solar panels – with no modifications to panels required – instead of having any surplus directed back to the grid, homeowners can potentially charge their electric vehicles for free with Sync EV.

In addition, with personalised settings such as scheduled charging and optimised cut-off points, allowing users to charge dynamically and maximise cheap rates of electricity, the Sync EV Wall Charger 2 delivers a faster home charge compared to plugging a charging cable directly into a three pin socket which gives a very slow charge at a fixed rate – both inconvenient and less cost effective.

Designed with sleek aesthetics, and no compromise on practicalities, the Sync EV Wall Charger 2 is available in two versions – tethered and untethered – to suit individual needs.

Coming in a range of eight interchangeable colours options – traffic white, signal grey, sandstone yellow, signal red, jet black, blue grey, deep blue and racing green, customers can co-ordinate their EV tech with their electric vehicle.

For more information, click here

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Businesses in the north east of England have been fitted with BG SyncEV chargers thanks to trusted BG SyncEV installers, Get Charging.

One such business is Auto Electrics (Teesside) in Stockton-on-Tees, who have three new electric vehicle chargers for their fleet of company vehicles.

Auto Electrics (Teesside) Ltd are the top auto electrical specialists in the North East of England for the vehicle, plant, and marine industries.

With assistance from the Government’s EV infrastructure scheme, three BG SyncEV chargers were installed at the company’s headquarters, two being installed outside and one being installed inside the working garage space.

“When choosing what EV charger is right for the job, we look at what the client needs and how we can match that to a charger,” said Get Charging’s Sam Armanios.

“With Auto Electrics Teesside, we chose to use the BG SyncEV charger because of its versatility and its integration with the EV management platform Monta, which makes the charging process simple and very straightforward for our clients. It is compact and can easily integrate into any environment and fit the branding of the company with interchangeable faceplates.

“We have a specific aesthetic when installing our chargers which includes custom trunking and wall mounting and BG SyncEV is a great option to match this. With Auto Electrics Teesside, we chose to use a blue trunking on the outside of the building and a silver metal trunking on the inside to match each space. The BG Sync EV charger also has base and rear entry points, so we have multiple options for installation.”

Sam added: “Another way the chargers are versatile, which benefitted the business in this instance is the availability of RFID key fobs. This means that staff can easily use the chargers without having to download an app to control them, so when they are swapping and using different vehicles each day, the available key fobs make charging simpler and easier.”

BG SyncEV chargers can be customised to fit any home or business with two different power output options, 7.4kW Type 2 or 22kW Type 2-phase, either a socketed or tethered connection and can be connected through Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi & 4G, Wi-Fi & RFID, or all three – Wi-Fi, 4G and RFID.

Sam said: “We included BG SyncEV as one of Get Charging’s chargepoint options because we wanted something reliable, quick and looks good. The BG SyncEV chargers look neat, aren’t bulky and the design makes them less intrusive than some other chargepoints.”

Auto Electrics (Teesside) received a government grant as part of the EV Infrastructure Grant Scheme for the installation of the EV charging points.

The EV Infrastructure Scheme provides support for organisations towards the cost of installing electric vehicle chargepoint sockets at their sites. The scheme covers up to 75 per cent of the total costs of the installing future infrastructure for EV charge points with £500 towards each future parking space and £350 for each charge point installed.

Eligible applicants can include businesses, charities, public sector organisations, and small accommodation businesses.

All chargepoints must be installed by an OZEV certified installer, like Get Charging, and an authorised chargepoint, of which BG SyncEV models are included.

Mike Wilson, Co-Owner of Auto Electrics (Teesside) Ltd, said: “We are really happy with both the installation or our EV chargepoints and the product is great. We use the chargers for our company vehicles, but we also have the option to use them for customer vehicles, if necessary, thanks to the ease of access of where they are installed around our site.

“We found out about the EV Infrastructure Grant Scheme through Get Charging who explained the whole scheme and helped us with the application. This really subsidised the costs and allowed us to have these chargers installed for the future of our business.”

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With more people choosing to switch to an electric car, consumers are demanding efficient ways to charge their vehicles at home.

Installing an EV wall charger, such as the BG Sync EV Wall Charger 2, now with integrated solar charging, from Luceco – is proving both a popular and money saving solution for consumers as well as a great upsell and customer lock-in opportunity for installers. Savvy wholesalers should prepare to meet demand.

Ingeniously, thanks to the intuitive smartphone app, homeowners can cut their home-based EV charging costs with the Sync EV Wall Charger 2. By utilising surplus solar energy from their existing solar panels – with no modifications to panels required – instead of having any surplus directed back to the grid, homeowners can potentially charge their electric vehicles for free with Sync EV.

In addition, with personalised settings such as scheduled charging and optimised cut-off points, allowing users to charge dynamically and maximise cheap rates of electricity, the Sync EV Wall Charger 2 delivers a faster home charge compared to plugging a charging cable directly into a three pin socket which gives a very slow charge at a fixed rate – both inconvenient and less cost effective.

Designed with sleek aesthetics, and no compromise on practicalities, the Sync EV Wall Charger 2 is available in two versions – tethered and untethered – to suit individual needs. The tethered option, which comes with an integral 7.5m fixed wraparound cable that is fitted with a very user-friendly charging gun for attaching to the vehicle, provides a neat, tidy and safe solution. And, since the charger uses personalised settings, your customers can rest-assured that they are completely in control of who uses their charger – no rogue charges are possible. The untethered version, ideal for those who already own cables, is completely unpluggable, providing flexibility when using commercial chargers away from home.

For more information, click here

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Vestel’s ongoing campaign to lead the European electric transport revolution has been further bolstered by the launch of its third Vestel-branded EV charger in 2023.

The EVC06 is a richly featured yet low-cost, commercial urban fast DC charging station offering high-speed, multiple output charging at up to 60kW.

The EVC06 tops out the 2023 Vestel range with a high-value, fully featured DC charging station that leverages Vestel’s EVC expertise, legendary reliability, and exceptional economies of scale from its 1.3m square metre manufacturing facility. The result is a robust, easy-to-use commercial fast charger that delivers outstanding value, reducing the cost of equipping commercial car parks, retail premises and public spaces with EV charging facilities.

The EVC06 is a 60kW DC fast charger with 22KW AC output for AC-only vehicles, offering dual split load charging as standard or optionally with a third output. Fully featured with local and remote load management, a 10.4” touchscreen interface, RFID, an optional credit card module and a slick fully guided user interface, the EVC06 is the perfect solution for repowering existing AC locations for the latest fast-charging electric vehicles. The unit is ISO15118 vehicle-to-grid communications compliant for class-leading accessibility and security without the need for RFID or a credit card if required.

For more information, click here

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