CamdenBoss encourages EV charger manufacturers to explore their enclosure options which include off-the-shelf, custom moulded and plastic fabrication
As the UK moves towards the government’s net zero goals, including abolishing petrol and diesel car sales by 2030 and integrating almost 400,000 charging points, there are important factors for EV charging point manufacturers to consider.
Firstly, each manufacturer must ask why a customer, whether domestic or commercial, would choose their product? Will they be manufacturing slower AC chargers targeting homes, offices and long-stay carparks or faster DC chargers situated in food courts and service stations? These choices will impact the components utilized.
It is also important to offer target customers USPs. For example, does the charger perform particularly well in certain environments such as wetter or sunnier areas, while ensuring longevity? Additionally, a manufacturer may decide their charger needs to provide QOL aspects such as smart features providing future-proofed control and monitoring methods.
Capital investment is always important with a pivotal point being the casing housing the electronics. For example, assume it’s a wall box. Suitable enclosure options can be found as off-the-shelf or custom moulded solutions. Both are equally viable, however can have varying cost implications. Another popular option is plastic fabrication. This gives complete design freedom without the upfront costs of a mould tool. Generally, a fabricated design allows prototyping and testing with potentially unlimited design changes, before committing to moulding the product.
While there are many other things to consider regarding their design and manufacture, EV chargers are a relatively large investment for the consumer market and designs need to be competitive. So, manufacturers should explore their options, understand their position in the market and accelerate towards a greener future.