EV charging in the marina industry

Rolec has been a trusted supplier of electrical facilities to marinas around the world for over three decades and, in recent years, has also developed a fast-paced EV (electric vehicle) charging business for the UK market.

Over the past ten years, emissions have been the biggest discussion point in the UK, leading to increased investment in renewable energy. Over 800,000 people are now driving electric cars and a larger conversation is opening up about how much waste we produce as a nation.
As the UK prepares for a net-zero future, demand for greener modes of transport and charging infrastructure increases. The transition to fully electric vehicles means that EV remains one of the largest green tech industries, with the most potential for growth over the next decade. In fact, according to the International Energy Agency, the number of electric cars on the road globally surpassed 10 million in 2020, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. This trend is expected to continue as more manufacturers invest in electric vehicle technology.
Zero-emission transport is not purely a car issue. If we expand our perspective to include other forms of transport, we might be surprised to find out that the most significant thing that we can do to reduce our individual environmental footprint is to stop flying. Travelling abroad is responsible for around 1 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions globally each year – which is more than the emissions produced by entire countries – making it the next on the chopping block for the environmentally conscious people among us.
With this in mind, the marina industry has the potential to become the saving grace for Britons looking to get away from it all without sacrificing the planet in the process.
Charging away from home
Infrastructure needed to support the transition to fully electric in the UK is not currently meeting demand. This factor was identified as the main concern for EV drivers in Zenith’s EVXperience report, with range anxiety and the struggle of finding somewhere to charge-up on journeys seen as a roadblock to enjoying an EV staycation. Having the option of charging at your destination will, for many, make the difference between a relaxing family vacation and a weekend trawling the countryside trying to get charged up.
It is, therefore, no surprise that, according to new research by the UK Department for Transport (DfT), almost half (47%) of the available public charging network, or 19,044 charge points, can be found in destination locations. Adding charge points at marina facilities, gives EV drivers the security of knowing that they won’t have to plan their trip around charging, which will encourage them to favour the marina for their next short-break or summer holiday.
Put your marina on the EV map
Around 90% of EV drivers seek out destinations that have charge points over those that do not. If operators put their marinas on the EV map, they attract new guests by providing convenient charging. Another thing to consider is the number of EV drivers who will travel that bit further in search of charging. If you know your area is lacking public charging infrastructure, and most areas are, offering charge points increases the likelihood that EV owners will choose your marina over others than don’t offer charging. Depending on your location, EV charge points can be available to guests for the duration of their stay, as well as being offered to motorists passing through the area. And charge points visible on charging apps, like ZapMap, attract drivers to the marina for a top-up en route to another destination.
Vehicle downtime, although a source of irritation for EV drivers, also opens up an additional business opportunity. A café, mini golf, or even just a vending machine will be much appreciated by families looking to pass the time as their car gets juiced up, and these have the potential to become additional revenue streams.
However, when taking the UK’s high energy prices into account, the thought of giving away more electricity to visitors might seem like a daunting proposition. But with the right back-office software, charge points can pay for themselves over time. Charging tariffs can be completely customised with segment pricing for different groups, like staff and public; tariffs raised during peak hours; and reserve charge points set up for certain visitors at certain times. This means that the marina can guarantee that visitors will have charging available to them.
Wattif funding
Thanks to its strategic partnership with Wattif, Rolec is in the unique position of being able to offer fully funded, part funded, and subscription options to marina owners, enabling them to install EV charging infrastructure with less risk to business.
Wattif’s 100% fully funded turnkey solution covers the cost of charge point installation, purchase, maintenance and software. Charging infrastructure can be installed without any risk of investment for the business. Alternatively, marinas can take advantage of a 50% partially funded option. If opting for this, Wattif takes responsibility for the cost of installing, maintaining and operating the charge point and also shares the initial upfront cost. The third, subscription, option provides an all-inclusive EV infrastructure solution without initial costs. Wattif handles everything from set-up to site management, and marina owners can still access OZEV (Office for Zero Emission Vehicles) grants.
Whichever Wattif model is selected, all operating costs are included. Wattif EV will always operate and maintain the charge points, meaning operators can spend less time looking at EV charge point management and more time with visitors.
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