Cris Chapman, Managing Director of Sevadis, emphasises the need for hands-on experience when it comes to EV charge point training if wholesalers are to gain the maximum business benefit and help the country deliver the charging infrastructure it needs to transition away from fossil fuels.

Despite Tesla sales taking a knock across Europe thanks to controversies surrounding Elon Musk, the influx of EVs from mass manufacturers such as BYD has made ownership increasingly affordable and bolstered the market. Electric vehicles now have around 20% share in the motor industry and there are over 1.4 million such vehicles registered in the UK, with over 380,000 registered in 2024, including 20,000 vans.

Challenges to uptake remain, particularly around anxiety about the lack of charging infrastructure and the shortage of skilled operatives able to keep up with installation demand. Consequently, there is a significant business opportunity for progressive wholesalers to better sell EV charge points to installers or broaden the range of charger brands they’re equipped to sell by undergoing training at Sevadis.

Such training builds confidence and lessens concerns about charge points and their installation, especially around commissioning and software which appear to be a barrier to entry for some installers, though it need not be. By being aware of the full features and benefits of EV charge points, branch staff will be far better equipped to guide customers to the charge point that meets their needs best, while delivering the best sales outcomes.

Central to any charge point training should be the opportunity to install a unit in person. Many manufacturers take a purely classroom based approach, yet experience shows the quality of learning is massively enhanced by getting hands-on with the charger and then installing the software.

Fast and easy installation

In the case of Sevadis, our charge points are fast and easy to install and a morning’s hands-on training – in a group of no more than eight – makes this very clear. Obviously, the advantage of fast and easy installation is the increased productivity it brings – making for more efficient working and increased profit opportunities. This is a key point to get across to installer customers.

The feedback we receive from our training sessions is truly fantastic, particularly when it comes to the practical element – wholesalers can’t praise it enough.

Similarly, a properly structured training session removes any of the potential worries associated with installation and gives wholesalers the necessary insights needed to reassure the anxious purchaser.

Beyond the actual installation exercise, presentations on a typical course would cover types of electric vehicles; types of connectors and modes of charging; load management and charging times; software and commissioning; installation considerations such as location, connectivity and cabling requirements and, finally, relevant legislation such as the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021 and the Public Charge Point Regulations 2023.

Supporting the switch

The government has obviously put its full weight behind EVs, not least with it banning the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030, and new hybrids from 2035. It is also supporting the switch away from fossil fuels with grant initiatives and increased regulation.

The direction of travel is only one way and working with Sevadis to obtain the necessary sales skills to exploit the demand of EV charge points can only be good for business, the environment and the wholesaler’s profits.

If you’d like to sell EV charge points to installers better, click here

Find more industry features here

The post How can hands-on EV charge point training unlock business benefits for wholesalers? appeared first on Professional Electricians Wholesaler.

For this month’s Face to Face, we interviewed Craig Slater, Managing Director of Sevadis, to get his view on the EV charging sector.

How and when were Sevadis formed?

Sevadis has been providing electric vehicle charging solutions to the domestic and commercial sectors since 2016. Since its establishment, Sevadis has formed a part of many businesses and organisations making the transition to electric vehicles, whilst also providing EV drivers with a seamless charging experience. Whilst Sevadis was founded in 2016 as part of the BJA Trading Group, 2022 saw the ‘rebirth’ of Sevadis with a keen focus on recruiting industry experts across various business operations to drive the company forward.

How can installers and wholesalers take advantage of the growing EV charging market?

As electric vehicle adoption continues and businesses take Net-Zero pledges, it goes without saying that ample opportunities exist for both wholesalers and installers – and this is only the beginning. For wholesalers, stocking and selling EV charging points and equipment is a no-brainer as more and more installers join the electric vehicle revolution, offering their domestic and commercial customers EV charging point installation as a service. For installers, the addition of offering the installation of EV charging points not only diversifies their portfolio, but places them in good stead for the future of electrified transport. There are numerous opportunities to take advantage of in a local capacity, but those installers who become specialists in the field of EV charging point installation will gain the ability to work on large-scale projects, including national deployment of infrastructure, which in turn becomes an attractive revenue stream.

Are you seeing an increase in the number of businesses and organisations installing EV charging points?

At a rate like never before. I have been a professional in the EV industry for over eight years and I can confidently say that the last 12-18 months have been the busiest periods to date – this pattern is set to continue. We’re not just seeing blue chip corporations deploy EV charging infrastructure, we’re seeing businesses of all shapes, sizes and disciplines; from Airbnbs to restaurants, attraction destinations to theme parks, gyms to exhibition centres, offices to medical facilities – almost all disciplines are beginning to introduce EV charging as part of their services to their customers/visitors and, to their employees too.

Do business premises require different charging solutions to those installed at residential properties?

Yes and no. Last year, Sevadis launched the award-winning MaxiCharger, an electric vehicle charging point that is universally applicable to all locations and scenarios, whether that be for businesses or the home. However, requirements of businesses may differ depending on the user-case. For example, a football club may want to offer EV charging facilities to their visitors at a cost, whilst a local authority may want to offer EV charging facilities to residents for FOC during non-peak hours. The way in which EV charging points are used will differ, depending on the overall intentions and goals for the EV charging point operators.

What changes were brought about by the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021 and how will they impact the industry?

The new regulations consist of two elements; 1) all private EV charging points must have smart functionality, alleviating pressure on the grid and 2) all private EV charging points must adhere to the safety and security requirements outlined within the regulations. The impact on the industry is positive; the implementation of the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021 ensures that electricity supply is protected on a national infrastructure scale, whilst also allowing for safe and secure charging. The latter was enforced earlier this year under Schedule 1 of the regulations and we are already seeing consumer confidence as people are feeling at ease and at peace knowing that they are able to charge their EVs without their data and hardware safety being compromised.

What are the Sevadis aims and objectives for the year ahead?

Last year was our revolution, this year is our evolution. We are still fairly new in the industry and navigating the ever-growing and ever-changing sphere can be a challenge, especially when there are EV charging point companies being born almost every week. In 2023, Sevadis has a strong expansion plan; more expert individuals; more presence and more integration of key partnerships to support the delivery of robust and future-proofed EV charging solutions to all sectors. One of our key objectives is to be the educators in the industry, providing installers and alike with know-hows and support that in turn breeds confidence when it comes to delivering an EV charging point project. We are already becoming the ‘go to’ for information and education through our approach in communications and this will continue in 2023, and beyond.

To find out more about Sevadis, click here

The post FACE TO FACE | PEW interviews Craig Slater, Managing Director of Sevadis appeared first on Professional Electricians Wholesaler.