TUAL has completed trials of a new off-grid rapid charger that could bring fast EV charging to remote areas where traditional infrastructure isn’t available.
The Glasgow-based charging company partnered with Scottish Water to test its DC PowerUp Charger at the Moffat Water Works site – a location where charging has been almost impossible until now.
The remote site in southern Scotland has limited mains power supply that only supports standard 16A three-pin plugs. This left visiting staff unable to charge EVs during their work visits.
Since April, the site has housed the DC PowerUp Charger. The unit uses an integrated lithium-ion battery pack and DC rapid charger to deliver meaningful charging power for engineers visiting the location.
The installation took just 34 minutes.
The unit can deliver up to 70kW, allowing engineers to add 200 miles of charge to their vehicle in an hour. The previous mains supply delivered just eight miles of range in the same time.
Scottish Water has placed an order for several more units following the successful trial. The utility company plans to shift its entire vehicle fleet to electric in the coming years.
TUAL says the trial paves the way for EVs to be more widely used in utility roles – where fast and reliable on-site charging is vital for operational efficiency.
Overcoming Grid Constraints
Phil Clarke, TUAL founder and CEO, said the trial demonstrates how charging infrastructure challenges can be solved.
“We’re delighted that Scottish Water selected us for this field trial, and that the engineers visiting the Moffat site could always rely on our PowerUp technology to charge their EVs, enabling them to continue carrying out their mission-critical work.”
“Grid constraints must not be allowed to stand in the way of fleet electrification,” Clarke added. “We’re proud to be playing our part in ensuring that any organisation that wants to make the switch can do so knowing that charging will not be an issue for them.”
Paul Wilkinson, EV transition technical specialist at Scottish Water, highlighted the transformation the technology brought to their operations.
“The field trial at the Moffat Waste Water Treatment Works was a great success. The quick installation time, fast charging capability, and absolute reliability transformed the use of EVs at the site, and convinced us to place an order for PowerUp chargers that we’ll roll out across our other remote sites.”
Scottish Water is transitioning its whole fleet to zero-emissions vehicles as part of its strategy to achieve net-zero by 2040. Wilkinson noted that TUAL’s technology is helping overcome limitations in existing charging infrastructure.
The successful deployment addresses a key challenge facing fleet electrification – ensuring reliable charging at remote work sites where grid connections are limited or non-existent.
