EO Charging, a global supplier and manufacturer of electric-vehicle (EV) charging solutions for homes and businesses, won the Large Business of the Year award, sponsored by Larking Gowen, at the Suffolk Business Awards 2022.
Charlie Jardine launched the Stowmarket-based business in June 2015, having previously worked for another company in the sector.
“It was clear that the automotive industry was going to change,” said Charlie. “I didn't have any aspirations to make electric vehicles, but seeing charging infrastructure as one of the core enablers of that transition presented a really great opportunity.”
The company now employs around 200 employees worldwide and has sold more than 80,000 charging stations to over 35 countries. It also has a number of high-profile commercial customers including Amazon, Tesco, DHL, Sainsbury’s and Ocado – plus bus operators Metroline and the Go-Ahead Group.
“Cars have dominated EV sales historically, but vans, trucks and buses are also being electrified at pace,” said Charlie. “We saw an early opportunity to be the first mover and market leader in commercial fleet.”
In March 2020, as the UK entered lockdown, Amazon awarded a pan-European contract to EO Charging.
“They've got a plan to get to 100,000 electric vehicles on fleet by 2030, and we were awarded a contract to support that plan by providing our software and maintenance services across the continent,” said Charlie. “Fast forward to today, we've got about 5,500 chargers in over 100 Amazon depots in nine countries.
“Of course, that's still a small proportion of our overall business, but it was a massive win for us, and really helped us build out the business into Europe, as well as starting out in North America.”
Charlie believes EO Charging’s USP is the software that it develops and sells alongside its charging stations.
“We've got a product called EO Hub, which we describe as a ‘load management device’,” he said. “If you can imagine 200 Amazon vans delivering parcels during the day, coming back at night and all plugging in, that is a lot of electricity.
“Our software is very much designed for fleet operators inside the depot. We collect data from the vehicle, the charger, the building, and then work out the best time to charge, ultimately to try and save the operator money.”
The judges at the Suffolk Business Awards were impressed with EO Charging’s commitment to sustainability, which extends beyond its products. For example, all of the company’s EV chargers are assembled and tested in Suffolk, and it also works with third-party manufacturers based in the county.
Commenting on the award, Charlie said: “The world is in a challenging period, obviously, and EO has not been without its challenges. When things are difficult, you can often forget what great work you've been doing, so it’s awesome to be recognised, and it’s also a massive reminder that we're doing a good job.”
“Ultimately, awards like this help us build credibility and trust with customers,” added Kate Savage, PR and communications manager. “It belongs to every single person who's helped get EO to where it is today.”
EO Charging is looking to triple revenue this year, with plans to grow the business in the United States and further across Europe.
“We're very committed to being the global leader in charging electric vehicle fleets,” Charlie concluded.
For more information, visit www.eocharging.com
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