Opticharge

Opticharge helps national, regional and local transport authorities and charge point operators optimise the provision of EV charging infrastructure

SYSTRA is a pioneer in digital mobility and low-carbon transport solutions.

As a leading EV charging advisor, SYSTRA supports clients in meeting the challenges of a low-carbon future.

Our unique combination of advanced digital tools and deep industry expertise enables national, regional and local authorities and/or charge point operators to plan optimal cost-effective charging infrastructure that serves the growing demand for EV charging while avoiding under and over-provision.

Key contacts

David CONNOLLY

Projects Director > LinkedIn

Alex LEGGATE

Principle Consultant > LinkedIn

The optimisation includes detailed consideration of the potential locations of future charging hubs and the optimal number of the different speeds of charger at those locations, taking account of the current and future EV arrival and charging duration profiles.

The resulting networks will support and accelerate the transition to electric vehicles, while helping to develop and deliver a sustainable public EV charging industry.

Electric Vehicles and Energy Transition

Future Mobility

EV Charging Infrastructure

Cities & Urban Mobility

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OPTICHARGE Features

Powerful simulation modelling for EV infrastructure

Opticharge simulates multiple potential charging networks to identify the optimal affordable public charging infrastructure, taking account of factors such as the starting network, the predicted growth in EV uptake, current and future availability of home charging, random arrival profiles, charging speeds, fixed and variable costs, etc.

The simulations include all of the main types of public charging:

On-street residential charging.
Destination charging (including at Park and Ride sites).
Local ‘Charge-and-Go’.
Commercial fleets (including taxis) needing non-depot-based/top-up charging.
En-route charging.

Strategic planning and targeted deployment

We use Opticharge to help clients to pinpoint areas with the highest need for additional chargers, advise on the cost-effective allocation of Capex and Opex budgets and optimise their public charging networks, by identifying the demand for (and optimising the supply of) the current and future public charging.

Variables considered include:

‘Typical’ vs ‘Peak Demand’ days.
Seasonality of demand.
Growth in battery ranges over time.
Random arrival profiles.
Changes over time in the distributions of battery range, charging speeds, connector types and the availability of home charging.
Optimisation of the trade-off between level of service and infrastructure cost.
Ability to distinguish between ‘commercially-viable’ and ‘likely to require subsidy’ chargers.

Enabling long-distance travel with rapid charging

In addition to local charging, Opticharge supports the cost-effective and sustainable rollout of rapid EV chargers across the strategic road network, which will be crucial for supporting long-distance EV journeys. The en route charging component of the tool was developed to support the UK Climate Change Committee planning of the charging network on the UK’s strategic road network.

How can Local Authorities use Opticharge to support funding bids for public charging?

Local Authorities and SYSTRA use Opticharge to build the evidence base required for government grants, such as UK LEVI funding. The software provides the demand forecasting and optimisation of provision needed to demonstrate where additional chargers will deliver the most benefits to local (and visiting) EV owners, helping to ensure that the expanded network is cost-effective and sustainable.

Is Opticharge designed to be used for planning local or regional charging provision?

Both – it has been used for the full range of networks, from rural Local Authorities and individual cities up to regional strategies and the whole of the GB mainland’s strategic road network.

What makes Opticharge different from other approaches?

Opticharge avoids the assumption that a single specific network of chargers is required in any future year. Instead, it rapidly simulates a wide range of additional provision, starting from the current network, including numerous combinations of slow, fast, rapid & ultra-rapid chargers and points the user to the combination which provides the optimal combination of Level of Service, operator revenue and infrastructure cost.

Is Opticharge expensive?

No, by optimising the additions to your public-charging network, you are likely to save more in future capital and operating costs than you spend on the Opticharge modelling and support. Please contact us using the form on this page to discuss your requirements and obtain a quote from us.

Accelerate the transition to electric vehicles in your area

Opticharge delivers the data-driven insights needed to deploy efficient, future-ready infrastructure while reducing costs. Use our advanced modelling to make informed decisions that speed up your journey to low-carbon transport.

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