UK charge point operator Gridserve has inaugurated a test lab for electric vehicle chargers at its Innovation and Operations Centre in Swindon, aiming to enhance the reliability of its charging network.
The new facility allows Gridserve to test Medium Power and High Power Chargers (HPC) and provides ample space to trial multiple EV charging bay configurations. The company is also examining hardware components, including distribution cabinets and stationary storage systems.
A key focus for Gridserve is ensuring the interoperability of chargers with various electric vehicles. The company has conducted tests with electric cars, motorcycles, and trucks, including a prototype of the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600.
Although the exact opening date of the test lab is not specified, Gridserve notes that it has already conducted “thousands of hours of functionality and interoperability testing.” These efforts have contributed to improved network reliability across the company’s 190 EV charging locations in the first half of 2024.
“The speed, ease of use and prevalence of High Power DC charging has become an important factor in the rapid adoption of electric vehicles across the UK, and the reliability of networks like the GRIDSERVE Electric Highway is critical to solidifying consumer confidence,” said Pete Bishop, Chief Technology Officer at Gridserve Technologies.
The test lab’s introduction marks a significant step in Gridserve’s commitment to advancing EV infrastructure and supporting the broader adoption of electric vehicles in the UK.
