Drax Electric Vehicles specialises in providing electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions for the fleet, workplace, and destination markets. Tim McManan-Smith caught up with Naomi Nye who heads up the EV sales team for the company
One of the main challenges customers face is determining who is responsible for the EV infrastructure. This responsibility often falls across multiple stakeholders, such as fleet managers, facilities, procurement, and energy teams. Each of these stakeholders has different priorities, which can complicate decision-making. “Businesses need to clarify who will manage the infrastructure and its associated costs,” says Nye, in order to overcome this initial barrier in the EV adoption process.
Another challenge is understanding the practical requirements for EV charging. “While it may seem straightforward—just plug the vehicle in to charge—there are several complexities,” comments Nye. Businesses need to assess whether their sites have the capacity to support the additional energy demands of EV charging. “Many commercial sites weren’t originally designed to be fuel stations, so installing charging infrastructure requires substantial upgrades.” Space is also a concern, as larger vehicles such as commercial vans need wider parking spaces. “This can lead to a loss of other parking spaces, so companies need to design the layout of their charging stations carefully. Businesses should also consider issues like reverse parking policies and the placement of charging ports.”
The cost of EV infrastructure is another major barrier, especially for fleet managers working with 3-to-5-year budgeting cycles. Charging infrastructure requires significant upfront capital expenditure (capEx) and ongoing operational expenditure (opEx), which can be difficult for businesses to manage. “Drax supports businesses by offering a holistic approach, helping to design and implement charging solutions tailored to their specific needs. The company works with all stakeholders involved, including procurement teams, energy managers, sustainability experts, facilities, and fleet managers, ensuring that each part of the business is aligned with the strategy,” says Nye.
“Drax’s approach is built on providing bespoke solutions rather than forcing customers to adapt to pre-defined systems. This is important because the needs of each business can vary significantly,” comments Nye. While Drax does not directly advise on vehicle choices, they help educate customers on the key considerations for EV infrastructure, including best practices, potential pitfalls, and market trends. Their role is to provide a strategic roadmap that helps businesses transition to electric fleets in a sustainable and cost-effective way.
One aspect of Drax’s service is to address the education of both fleet managers and drivers. For example, fleet managers must understand how to design charging infrastructure for specific vehicle types, while drivers need to be educated about EV usage. Drax offers “driver days” to familiarise drivers with the charging process and to encourage adoption. It’s essential that the technology is user-friendly; charging stations need to be easy to use and operate, ensuring that drivers do not need technical expertise to charge their vehicles.
Moreover, Nye emphasises that the charging infrastructure must be durable and adaptable. Charging stations are exposed to the elements and used frequently, so they must be built to withstand harsh conditions. The software used to operate the stations must also be flexible, capable of updating remotely, and compatible with open communication protocols. This ensures that the infrastructure can be maintained, upgraded, and expanded over time without locking the business into a particular vendor or technology. For instance, future updates might introduce new payment options or enhanced functionality through software upgrades, without needing to replace hardware.
“The long-term flexibility of the system is also important,” says Nye, “to recognise that businesses must evolve as they electrify their fleets. Charging infrastructure needs to be scalable to accommodate future growth, whether in terms of more vehicles, more charging points, or new technology like Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) systems.” EV infrastructure is not a one-time project but an ongoing partnership. Drax works with its customers to develop long-term strategies for electrification, ensuring the infrastructure can adapt to new business models and needs.
Drax offers financial packages that allow businesses to pay for their charging infrastructure monthly rather than as a lump-sum investment. “This reduces the burden of upfront costs and allows businesses to spread the expense over time,” says Nye. At the end of the contract, businesses can choose to upgrade or keep the equipment. This flexible financing model makes it easier for businesses to commit to EV adoption without significant initial capital outlay.
The market for EVs is growing rapidly, especially in the fleet sector. Drax is seeing increased adoption of electric vehicles by businesses, driven by government incentives, tax breaks, and the total cost of ownership benefits, as well as the sustainability benefits they offer. By focusing on the long-term needs of their clients, offering education and guidance, and providing scalable, cost-effective solutions, Drax is well positioned to help businesses transition smoothly to electric fleets.
