The Project
RAM Extrusion are a UK based, plastic extrusion and carbon neutral profile extrusion specialist. Based in Droitwich Spa, RAM was formed in 2003, renowned for an innovative approach to plastic extrusion, RAM have become a leader in technical extrusions and finishing capabilities. RAM’s plastic extrusion manufacturing facility comprises of over 25,000 sq.ft. and includes 12 single screw extrusion lines with the capability of extruding flexibles, rigids, co-extruded and blown extrusions.
RAMs initial requirement is for two chargers, however there is the expectation more would be needed in the future for fleet and staff usage. Ease of use, securing against unauthorised use and the ability to report on consumption and costs were key requirements.
Black Pear’s EV Charging project manager was able to advise that as RAM had a minimum of 5 car parking spaces that they could allocate to EV Charging, they would be able to apply for the EV Infrastructure Grant, by installing the infrastructure for three further chargers to be added at a later date. As OZEV authorised installers, Black Pear could access the £3,200 worth of funding through the EV infrastructure and Workplace Charging Schemes, and claim the grants retrospectively.
Grant Calculation:
| Workplace Charge Scheme | |
|---|---|
| Grant available per ChargePoint | £350 |
| Charge Points installed (max. 40) | 6 |
| Total Claim (deducted from gross cost of overall budget) & no more than 75% of total installers cost | £2,100 |
| EV Infrastructure Grant | |
|---|---|
| Grant available Infrastructure per parking spaces | £500 |
| Grant available for installed charge points | £350 |
| Parking space allocated for infrastructure (min 5) | 5 |
| Charge points installed at time of claim (min 1) | 2 |
| £ claimed for infrastructure | £2,500 |
| £ claimed for ChargePoint’s | £700 |
| Total Claim (deducted from gross cost of overall budget) & no more than 75% of total installers cost | £3,200 |
When RAM are ready to install the further 3 charge points, they will be eligible to claim for a grant towards the new points under the WCS, as the grant is capped at 40 charge points.
Our Approach
After careful consideration Easee chargers were selected as the most suitable solution for load ease of use, load management and remote connectivity. This was paired with a Matt:e O-Pen protection unit to provide required safety features.
Easee provide the Easee Ready Unit (backplate and blind cover). All electrical work can be completed to the backplate and when ready, using their innovative plug and play technology a charging unit can simply be installed to the back plate allowing the system to easily scale without any further electrical work.
Access was provided to the Easee Cloud portal and each user provided and set up with RFID key tag and the Easee app. This restricts the charger usage to users with these key tags or app.
The manufacturing site has sufficient spare capacity and a recently upgraded MCCB panel we were able to utilise to supply the chargers. The Easee chargers and Ready units were installed on the front wall of the building adjacent to the 5 allocated parking spots.
Two chargers are now in place, with the infrastructure in place for the installation of 3 more chargers at a later date. When the additional chargers are installed the Easee system will dynamically divide all available energy between the units. The total load will therefore never exceed the limit set during the installation. All connected cars can be charged simultaneously and the available charge current is automatically shared between them, provided that there is enough power available. If there is not enough power available, the cars will be put in the queue.
Having installed the six chargepoints, the chargers were commissioned and RAM were set up and given access provided to the Easee Cloud portal, which houses a full suite of tools to control and monitor the use of each charger to a full suite of consumption and costs reports and analysis, for advance administration requirements. For general use and of the chargers use the Easee App is recommended.
The installation was carried out on time and within the agreed budget.
Black Pear Electrical have worked for RAM Extrusion carrying out their compliance testing and installing high bay lighting, so I had no hesitation in getting in touch to ask them to provide a solution for my staff to charge their electric vehicles, Black Pear EV were in a great position to provide advice on not only the EV charge points that would suit our needs but also on the OZEV grants that would be available to us.
