Company Overview
VCHRGD, a UK-based EV charging company established in 2021, supplies installers and distributors with best-in-class hardware and back-end software services. Their flagship product is a 7kW AC charger designed for home and workplace charging.
Rapidly gaining traction in the UK market, VCHRGD distinguishes itself through a commitment to simplicity, sustainability, and support. Their business approach is transparent across the board, whether for installers, wholesalers, or EV drivers. Their growth strategy is carefully structured for meaningful, deliberate expansion.
VCHRGD considers itself a custodian of critical infrastructure, dedicated to maintaining the long-term functionality of its products. By bundling its charge point offering with AMPECO’s software, VCHRGD expanded throughout the UK, enhanced its services, and adapted to market trends, showing a commitment to innovation and a desire to grow responsibly in the EV charging industry.
“We want to be “the Bosch” of this industry – the one that comes in, starts slow and is able to change and meet demand, and has ethos and values that mean a lot in 150 years time.
Even when it’s not electric cars anymore (it could be hydrogen, flying cars, or people just walking around) – we will be part of all of that. We want to be there for the long run.”
Alex Watson
Founder and Director, VCHRGD
Challenge
As a growing hardware manufacturer, VCHRGD faced two challenges: establishing credibility as a top-tier product and maintaining long-term success in a dynamic market. In response, they focus on providing high-quality hardware and a brand ethos committed to delivering exceptional customer and technical support.
To ensure their chargers’ long-term functionality and reliability, VCHRGD sought a seasoned backend partner. They needed a solution that would safeguard their hardware’s operational capabilities to protect customer investments. Their ideal partner would demonstrate a strong commitment to the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) standards and guide the development of their hardware based on best industry practices.
To deliver on their commitment to quality and timely support, VCHRGD required full customer and EV charging data visibility. This would allow them to have complete control to identify and resolve issues quickly.
VCHRGD also understood the potential of integrating solar energy production with EV charging and took proactive measures to design their chargers accordingly. However, implementing this functionality would require a software solution that integrated seamlessly with their hardware, gave EV drivers full control, and guaranteed dependable process management.
97%
5-Star product reviews
0.63%
Product failure rate
0.5%
Product return rate
85%
Issues solved remotely within 15 min
Solution
AMPECO enables VCHRGD to capture the home charging market with a dual-focused solution. For EV drivers, VCHRGD provides a feature-rich, white-label mobile app, while installers benefit from a quick and hassle-free setup process thanks to pre-commissioned charge points seamlessly connected to the backend system.
Pivotal app features include dynamic pricing and scheduled charging enabled through Octopus Go integration, along with RFID for user authorization and a cable lock feature that converts untethered chargers to tethered ones. Additionally, AMPECO allows local dynamic load management (DLM), enhancing safety and facilitating seamless authorization and operations without backend approval.
As a step forward in providing excellent customer support, VCHRGD embedded a live chat into their mobile app. Thanks to the custom app menu links provided by AMPECO, they offer various support resources, including user guides, configuration links, FAQs, and direct contact options such as email and phone.
AMPECO integrated two solar energy features into VCHRGD’s chargers, which are accessible to EV drivers via the mobile app. One is a solar smart charging mode for CT clamp-equipped charge points, and the other enables drivers to utilize their excess solar energy for EV charging.
“AMPECO has great features when building a product focused on the customer. You’re a window to our customers, and you allow us to do this very effectively.”
Alex Watson
Founder & Director, VCHRGD
Result
VCHRGD chose AMPECO’s comprehensive charge point management platform to serve multiple charging use cases, open new business opportunities, and provide an excellent charging experience to EV drivers. AMPECO’s expertise was essential in creating a unique offering that seamlessly blends advanced hardware and high-quality software.
VCHRGD will launch a new 22KW charging station in 2024, signalling a move beyond home charging solutions into higher-powered AC charging sectors such as retail, hospitality, and multi-unit residential. AMPECO will facilitate this growth through roaming capabilities and API integrations with third-party suppliers, such as reimbursement payment solutions and leading emobility service providers.
“We never started from scratch with you. There was always somewhere for us to grow and fit into, to stretch our model and work with it to create the best-fit flow and make the most of what you had to offer.”
Alex Watson
Founder & Director, VCHRGD
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