The recent London EV Show buzzed with excitement, showcasing the latest advancements in electric vehicle technology. Amongst the innovative displays and cutting-edge vehicles, WhichEV interviewed two companies that captured the essence of the evolving EV charging landscape: one with Alex O'Neill, director of Kelvelec, a leading electrical wholesale distributor, and another with Kijoo Jung, head of product planning for Humax, an innovative EV charger manufacturer.
Kelvelec: Powering the Future of Home Charging
Kelvelec, with its 25-year history in the electrical wholesale trade, is no stranger to providing quality electrical products. Its move into the EV charging market with partner Humax signals a commitment to sustainability and a recognition of the growing demand for home charging solutions. “The drive for sustainability is a massive one,” O'Neill stated, highlighting the company's enthusiasm for the evolving automotive industry.
The company's partnership with Humax, a renowned international manufacturer of smart home products, is a strategic move to offer customers high-quality, stylish, and versatile charging solutions. O'Neill emphasised Humax's reputation for reliability and their shared philosophy of exceptional customer service. “We were aligned in our philosophy for delivering exceptional customer service,” he affirmed.
Kelvelec's extensive network of over 3,000 wholesale distributors will play a crucial role in bringing Humax's innovative chargers to the market. The company is committed to supporting its distributors with comprehensive training, point-of-sale materials, and technical guidance. O'Neill highlighted the user-friendly features of Humax's smart home charger, including its ease of installation, RFID card activation, and accompanying app for scheduling, monitoring, and cost analysis.
Recognising the current challenges in the EV market, with demand outstripping supply, O'Neill believes that the influx of used EVs will create attractive opportunities for consumers. He positioned the Humax smart charger as the ideal home charging solution, emphasising the simplicity and convenience of making the switch to electric. Looking ahead, O'Neill expressed excitement about the future of EV charging, particularly the anticipated advancements in vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology.
Humax: Software-Driven Innovation for a Sustainable Future
Humax, while a newcomer to the UK market, brings years of experience in the EV charging industry from its established presence in Korea. Jung outlined the company's vision for expanding its product portfolio in Europe, with a focus on providing cutting-edge technology and services. “We are trying to expand our product portfolio to the wider range in the coming years,” he confirmed.
A key differentiator for Humax is its software-oriented approach. The company aims to deliver sophisticated features and services through its smart charging service, integrated with its next-generation chargers. This technology utilises communication between the charger and the EV, incorporating third-party services like energy tariff integration and home energy management systems. “By integrating those various types of information and services, we can build for the higher level of charging services,” Jung explained.
Humax is committed to building a future-proof hardware platform that enables new services and features through software updates, ensuring product longevity and customer satisfaction. “Our customers…don't have to worry about their products [becoming] obsolete,” Jung reassured. Software is central to Humax's innovation strategy, enabling the development of advanced features and services for both consumers and commercial customers.
Ecological concerns are deeply ingrained in Humax's ethos. “Sustainability is at the core of our company's value,” Jung stated, emphasising Humax's commitment to environmentally responsible practices throughout product development. Looking to the future, Humax plans to launch its second-generation home and business chargers, which are expected to bring further innovation and differentiation to the market.
Jung highlighted bi-directional charging as a key area of development for the EV charging industry. Humax is actively developing core technologies for V2G, including communication solutions between the charger and the car. While acknowledging the challenges of V2G, particularly the need for interoperability and grid readiness, Humax aims to be prepared for the widespread adoption of this technology.
Addressing the growing prominence of DC chargers, Jung confirmed that Humax is expanding its product range to include both AC and DC chargers, catering to diverse charging needs. He emphasised the importance of making EVs and chargers more affordable and user-friendly to drive wider adoption. “The most important thing should be [that] electric vehicles should be more affordable to buy, and also the charger as well,” he concluded.
A Powerful Partnership for the Future of EV Charging
The collaboration between Kelvelec and Humax represents a significant step forward in the UK's EV charging infrastructure. Kelvelec's established distribution network and commitment to customer service, combined with Humax's innovative technology and software-driven approach, create a powerful synergy. This partnership is poised to deliver cutting-edge, user-friendly, and sustainable charging solutions to homes and businesses across the UK, accelerating the transition towards a cleaner, greener transportation future.
The insights shared at the London EV Show underscore the rapid evolution of the EV charging landscape. With companies like Kelvelec and Humax leading the charge, the future of electric mobility in the UK looks brighter than ever.
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