Robert von Wahl, director of EV charging at solar power company Sungrow Europe, on the latest EV charging technology trends in the UK and how 2025 will likely play out.

Robert von Wahl, director of EV charging at Sungrow Europe

Q: What is your outlook on the state of fleet adoption of electric vehicle charging in the UK?

We have reached a pivotal point on the road to electric vehicle adoption in the UK. The Government is committed to decarbonising transport by phasing out the cars and vans that rely solely on internal combustion engines by 2030, while from 2035 all new cars and vans sold in the UK will be zero emission. At the same time, as companies race to meet their sustainability targets and electrify their fleet as quickly as possible, I predict that commercial vehicle fleet charging will be a major topic within the broader EV charging conversation in 2025 and beyond.

Fleet charging presents higher and unique demands, and the need for efficient and scalable charging solutions in this field continues to grow. Despite a number of challenges, including the cost of investment for the development and operation of these facilities, the EV charging sector is working to respond to this by shifting towards more integrated, accessible and user-friendly solutions, that ensure reliability for fleet managers and at the same time optimal cost for the operation and especially the maintenance of the charging points.

The next generation of charging solutions could potentially revolutionise the uptake of EV adoption in fleets not only in the UK, but feed into the global push for net zero. Now, more than ever, is the time to give fleet managers the solutions they need to accelerate the electrification of their fleets.

Q: What technologies will emerge to ensure scalable and reliable fleet EV charging?

We know that achieving the scale of EV charging can often be the key barrier to EV adoption in fleets. Satellite charging systems are expected to emerge as a breakthrough solution for this in 2025 and address the scalability issues that have long plagued fleet managers. These innovative systems allow to utilise potentially limited grid capacity in an efficient way and simultaneous charging of multiple vehicles while dramatically reducing the footprint of charging infrastructure.

A good example for this application is the depot charging for commercial vehicles that ensures that fleets can operate with confidence, minimising downtime and optimising daily operations with the minimum footprint. I like to think of it like a ‘hub-and-spoke’ model. For logistics companies struggling with fleet electrification, this technology represents a strategic game-changer, enabling rapid scaling without massive infrastructure investments and plenty of savings through reduced maintenance requirements.

But reliability must underpin scalability, especially for fleets, where downtime can have cascading effects on supply chains and end customer satisfaction.  With this in mind, we will likely see two key advancements in the near-term that will bolster reliability: advanced cooling systems, and smart operating and maintenance software.

Advanced cooling technologies, like the isolated air-cooling technology recently introduced by Sungrow, offer superior thermal management, but also less parts and better protection from the environmental elements, like dirt and humidity, which translates to enhanced reliability, reduced wear and tear, and therefore reduced operational downtime and maintenance cost.

You can’t escape discussions around smart software these days, but beyond the hype, this has a pivotal role to play in boosting the efficiency and reliability of systems. Take as an example Sungrow’s self-developed Power Module Lifecycle Management (PMLM) technology and its proprietary algorithm, that enhances the performance of the charger and equally importantly ensures a long and reliable lifespan of the system.

Q: How serious are cybersecurity risks in EV charging?

Like in many other operations, unauthorised access could lead to compromise the fleet operations. With that, cybersecurity is something that we expect to see moving up the agenda of fleet operators, and becoming an important topic.

Fleet charging stations are considered critical infrastructures. For fleet operators, I would recommend prioritising secure hardware design, robust software protection, continuous threat monitoring and regular security updates. In response, solutions providers like Sungrow have a role to play in designing soft- and hardware components of EV charging stations that are equipped to block unwanted access and protect against potential threats.

Q: Can charging infrastructure be more than just charging?

Absolutely! The future of fleet charging is holistic integration. Forward-thinking logistics providers are already implementing comprehensive solutions that combine other technology such as solar PV generation (to generate clean energy), Battery storage systems (to store it and provide back-up power) and energy management software (to optimise consumption). All these can be integrated with fleet management software to optimise the charging planning. This approach improves energy usage, reduce costs, and provide resilience during grid disruptions – transforming charging infrastructure from a necessary cost to a strategic asset.

Biography for Robert von Wahl

Robert has now more than 15 years of work experience in the solar industry with focus on business development and sales. Robert started his career at Conergy group as a business analyst, followed by an employment as a business developer. Later, he joined Scatec Solar in Prague as a sales and transaction manager and subsequently as a sales manager for systems and components. Prior to joining Sungrow, he worked with ET Solar in the roles of key account manager and business development manager, respectively. Robert olds a diploma in Business Administration from the University of Cologne.