Latest news with #OspreyCharging
Daily Mirror
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
'I own an electric car — 5 things everyone needs to know before buying one'
From speedy charging hacks to game-changing features and the truth behind home charging - one EV owner has revealed five important things Brits should know before ditching their petrol cars Brits thinking about ditching their petrol cars for EVs have been warned about five important things they should consider. After four years of electric vehicle (EV) ownership, prominent weather and climate presenter Abbie Dewhurst has shared her honest review of making the eco-friendly switch. Known for her engaging content focusing on environmental issues and sustainable living - and boasting a whopping following of over 80,000 - the TV star has become a trusted voice in the climate change and sustainability sphere. In a now-viral TikTok video titled 'five things I kinda wish I knew four years ago before I started driving an EV', Abbie shares insights that demystify EV ownership to help drivers make the switchover to electric. The advice comes as a whopping 44 per cent of UK drivers are considering moving to EVs - despite concerns around their limited range. 1. Not all chargers are created equal Abbie highlights that public EV chargers vary significantly in their power output, measured in kilowatts (kW). Some, especially those found in shopping centres or long-stay car parks, are intentionally slower to allow for extended parking while you shop or work. Others offer rapid or ultra-rapid charging, ideal for quick top-ups when you're on the move. Abbie advises checking charger speeds and planning your stops in advance to avoid surprises and make the most efficient use of your time. "You're best off checking before you set off and planning your charging stops," she added. 2. Osprey Charging stands out for speed and convenience Abbie explains that spotting an Osprey Charging station means you're likely to have access to rapid or ultra-rapid charging. The process is made even easier with their tap-and-go contactless payment system, which she describes as 'seamless and speedy'. For added convenience, the Osprey app can be used to locate chargers, track your charging session, and manage receipts. 3. The preheat function is a game changer Abbie emphasises that nearly all EVs come with a preheat feature included, allowing you to warm up your car and its battery before you set off. She notes that once you start using preheat, 'you never go back'. Importantly, if you preheat while still plugged in, it draws energy from the grid rather than your battery, preserving your driving range. 4. Don't overthink home charger options For those considering a home charger, Abbie reassures viewers that most models perform similarly — essentially acting as different versions of a plug socket. She suggests not getting overwhelmed by the variety of options, as the core function remains the same. In spite of the many options, Abby says it is "ultimately just a different kind of plug socket — they all do largely the same thing!" 5. Plan ahead and enjoy your journey Abbie encourages EV drivers to plan their charging stops, highlighting that many charging locations now offer excellent facilities. She shares her personal favourite, Elkstone Studios, which features amenities including the Knead bakery — turning charging time into an enjoyable experience. She advises: "Plan ahead to love every minute of charging." Reflecting a pragmatic and positive approach to EV ownership that focuses on preparation, convenience and embracing the unique aspects of driving an EV, Abbie's message to those considering going electric in 2025 is supportive and welcoming, inviting them to share their experiences as they join the ever-growing community of EV drivers. She signs off with: "If 2025 is the year you go electric, good luck and let me know how it goes!"
The Independent
09-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
How to run an EV charging network: mastering land, plugs and software
Osprey Charging Network is a Business Reporter client Discover how the UK's leading rapid charging network, Osprey Charging, delivers its popular charging hubs, strategically located from Land's End to John O'Groats. In 2024, the UK overtook Germany to become Europe's largest electric vehicle (EV) market. Fully electric vehicles now account for over 20 per cent of new car sales and 4 per cent of all vehicles on our roads, with this number set to rise. With ambitious government targets and substantial private investment in infrastructure set to continue, the UK is becoming a leader in the global EV revolution. The vast majority of the public charging stations that will become the backbone of EV refuelling are funded with private investment by nationwide charging networks such as Osprey Charging. These are the rapid charge points (adding 100 miles of range to a car's battery in as little as 10 minutes) that fleets and high-mileage vehicles will rely on for everyday use, and private drivers for longer journeys. Operating a network of grid-connected, consumer-facing charge points is a relatively new type of business. Here's how Best of British Business 2025 company Osprey Charging delivers one of the UK's largest and most popular rapid EV charging networks. Land Across 2023 and 2024, Osprey deployed more rapid charging infrastructure than any other network in the UK, bringing its total network to 1,300 charging bays. Charging hubs, featuring six or more high-powered (150kW+) chargers, are preferred by drivers for maximising availability and providing a dedicated charging space, and can be future-proofed for expansion as demand grows. Knowing where to build these high-power hubs is a particular strength of the business, which has had data in its DNA since inception. Hub sites cost millions of pounds to develop, so optimising return is crucial for investors. Thanks to an ever-improving proprietary assessment model, as well as in-house expertise in grid and development, Osprey makes informed decisions about location, size and design of hubs. This data-driven approach ensures Osprey selects locations that offer high footfall, strong grid connectivity and long-term commercial viability, making it a preferred partner for major institutional landlords such as Legal & General, as well as retailers such as Burger King and Starbucks. Osprey also buys freehold land on which to develop and operate flagship hubs, where end-to-end control and design can produce award-winning customer experience. The award-winning Salmon's Leap Super-hub, for example, at Buckfastleigh on the Devon Expressway, is a rural oasis where Osprey created a partnership with a local farm shop, supporting local businesses, and giving river access to local watersports enthusiasts, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable infrastructure that enhances both EV charging and the surrounding community. Plugs Each of Osprey's hubs has a dedicated high-voltage grid connection, equivalent to powering 600-700 homes. To maximise the number of charge points on each grid connection and therefore serve more customers, Osprey installs dynamic load-balancing technology. Through this technology, the total available power is centralised and distributed via the high-power satellite chargers to the vehicles as they need it in real time. As a result, no power is wasted and the power delivered is maximised, making the most efficient use of the available grid connection. Osprey was the first to introduce this innovative solution to the UK. Furthermore, the customer experience is quicker and better with more charge points available, and revenue is optimised by delivering the greatest amount of power to the greatest number of customers at any one time. Osprey's pioneering approach to dynamic load-balancing also ensures that each hub can be scaled to support more EVs without requiring costly grid reinforcements, keeping pace with the growing demand for public charging. Software With hundreds of sites nationwide and thousands of customers every day, Osprey enjoys absolute control and quality thanks to its proprietary software platform, Osprey Iris. This is critical as the business scales rapidly, both in charge point numbers and transactions processed. As a key differentiator, Osprey Iris gives in-house control of charge point management, extensive data and customer accounts, and therefore flexibility to provide the best experience for all types of driver, and to develop these over the long-term. There are several advantages of having this control and software development in-house. For example, Osprey directly integrates with fleet billing systems and payment services of all sizes easily, from Motability Operations to Octopus Electroverse to British Gas, driving significant revenue from high-mileage vehicles. Osprey can choose to install any charge point hardware as the market develops, actively maintaining the best user experience. Network health, security and emerging customer pain points are closely and easily monitored, with live diagnosis and solutions. Analysis and insights gained from proprietary data is used on a daily basis to inform customer strategy. Osprey Iris has significant commercial potential too, as charging-as-a-service offerings become more mature in the growing charging network market. For fleet operators, businesses and commercial landlords looking to enter the EV charging market, Osprey Iris offers a scalable, ready-made solution. Running a rapid charging network is complex. Osprey Charging combines a unique blend of data-led strategy, advanced hardware and software and in-house expertise to ensure both operational efficiency and a high-quality experience for all drivers. This strategy has paid off with Osprey winning numerous industry awards including Chargepoint Network of the Year in both 2023 and 2024 at the Electric Vehicle Innovation and Excellence awards, and Best EV Charging Network 2023 and 2024 at the Transport and Energy awards. Recognised as a Best of British Business in 2024, Osprey continues to lead the charge in delivering a world-class charging network, making it a key player in the UK's electric vehicle transition. With further expansion planned for 2025, including new ultra-rapid hubs and enhanced fleet integrations, Osprey continues to set the standard for a reliable, customer-first charging experience.
