TUAL launches portable powerbank to boost electric van range
A UK firm has launched a new portable charging system that it says could save businesses hundreds of thousands of pounds.
TUAL’s PowerBank Pro-Charging is designed to provide charging for electric vans wherever and whenever it is needed, without reliance on public infrastructure. It can also help power tools and accessories on-site and be swapped in as little as 90 seconds.
A new report from transport specialist Geotab estimates that two-thirds of the UK’s business vehicles could be replaced by EVs. However, TUAL argues that driving range and charging requirements currently make electric light vans unattractive to businesses.
Even the longest-range vans on sale have a real-world range of less than 250 miles and TUAL claims 40% of van use-cases exceed real-world eLCV range. It also estimates that 70% of van drivers are unable to charge at home or at depot, meaning working time is lost as drivers have to use public charging during their regular hours. It claims that lost productivity from charging downtime could cost fleets up to £150,000 per driver or vehicle over a five-year period.
The PowerBank Pro-Charging system is designed to address this by allowing firms to carry additional battery capacity in the vehicle, charging at a time and place that suits the driver. For vans that can’t be charged at home or at depot, the Vehicle ReCharge powerbank provides overnight charging at any location and can then be swapped out for a fully charged unit in just 90 seconds.
For vans covering long distances in a single day, the Range Extender means drivers can charge their van battery each time it’s parked, without needing to waste time at a public charger. It can also be used as an off-grid power supply for accessories during the working day.
Philip Clarke, CEO and founder of TUAL: “Providing van-fleet drivers with guaranteed access to the energy they need, at the time and place of their choosing, plays a critical role in transforming vehicle suitability, driver satisfaction, and fleet profitability.
“That is what TUAL has been founded to achieve, and – together with some of Europe’s largest fleets – that is what our unique powerbank technology has been developed to facilitate.
“We are firmly on track on the journey from product development and prototyping to full-scale manufacturing, and the scope of the technology is hugely exciting for us – with the business looking in future to expand into haulage, agriculture, emergency services, and defence fleets.
“Focusing our initial offering on the eLCV segment as a core component of enterprise fleets, we’re committed to delivering the tools they need to make a success of their transition to electric power.”
