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e-Mobility FAQsGilbarco Veeder-Root brings you a powerful fusion of two industry leaders, delivering unique synergies for a truly best-in-class EV charging solution for business.
Together with Tritium Technologies, we are fuelling the future today, with our charging solutions and full installation, maintenance and support network.
Our FAQs guide has been compiled by our specialist e-Mobility team to answer some of the most critical and relevant questions you may have, but don’t hesitate to contact us via gilbarco-emobility.com if you want to know more.
Pricing & Payment
Installation
Charger Management Services, Maintenance & Aftersales Support
General Questions Compatibility
Costs
Visibility & Branding
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General Questions
What is the difference between AC and DC charging?
AC stands for Alternating Current, and DC for Direct Current. All batteries (including those of electric vehicles, ‘EVs’) store DC power, and therefore the AC needs to be converted to DC power before it is stored in the battery. The mechanism that converts AC power into DC power is either installed in the EV (in which case AC power is charged to the vehicle) or in the charger (in which case DC power is charged to the battery of the vehicle). All EVs have an AC/DC converter on board (allowing for charging at home using an AC charger), but not all EVs allow for DC charging (e.g. Current EV models from Renault do not allow for DC charging).
AC chargers can offer power of up to 43kW and are sometimes referred to ‘slow’ or ‘trickle’ chargers as they are characterised by slower charging rates. DC chargers range from 50kW to 350kW (with the option to scale up to 475kW for future applications) and offer much faster charging options. DC chargers from 50kW are classed as fast or rapid chargers and those that offer 150kW upwards, are classed as ultra-rapid or ultra-fast chargers.
What types of charging solution do you offer?
Presently we offer two types of DC chargers: The Veefil-RT rapid charger (50kW), and the Veefil-PK ultra-rapid charger (175kW to 350kW, scalable to 475kW). We will soon be introducing a 7kW (single phase) and a 22kW (three phase) AC charging solution to our portfolio.
Is AC or DC charging more suitable for my application?
The main factor to consider is how quickly a vehicle will need to be charged. DC rapid and ultra rapid chargers are well suited to applications where a fast turnaround is required, e.g. at the start of or during a journey, where we can liken their use to traditional fuel dispensers at a petrol or motorway service station (‘on-the-road’ charging points). 7kW or 22kW AC chargers may be considered where the EV is likely to be parked for a prolonged period of time, upwards of 1 hour minimum, e.g. retail or office car parks (home and ‘destination’ charging points).
How long does it take to charge an electric vehicle?
Charging times vary depending on the power offered by the charging point, the vehicle’s battery size, the state of charge of the battery and the on-board charging technology.
Smart logic within the chargers and in the vehicle means that electric vehicles will automatically be charged at the speed that their batteries can safely handle (which is determined by the battery management system of the vehicle).
As a rule of thumb, and supposing the battery is charged within the range of 20% to 80% of its capacity, charging an electric vehicle using an input power of 15kW for the duration of 1 hour will charge a battery for a driving range of about 100km. If the battery is charged with a higher power the charging time reduces accordingly (i.e. an input power of 30kW would reduce the charging time to 0.5 hour).
Are all EVs capable of charging with 350kW?
The battery management system of the electric vehicle determines the power at which it can be charged. If an EV supports a maximum input power of 50kW, regardless of whether the charger is 150kW or 350kW, the vehicle will still only take 50kW. Currently most existing EVs allow for charging powers between 50kW and 150kW, but many vehicle manufacturers are in the process of launching new models which will cater for higher power input (such as Tesla Model 3, Porsche Taycan) - so it’s a good idea to invest in charging infrastructure which is ready for these.
How far can an electric vehicle travel on one charge?
Obviously, the driving range of an EV with a full battery depends on a number of factors (with some of them being similar to those which affect the consumption of fossil fuels in the case of ICE vehicles): the battery capacity (a bigger battery will allow for a longer driving range); the ambient temperature (driving range will be shorter when the temperature outside is colder); the driving style (driving at high speed or fast acceleration will use more energy); where the EV is driven (the driving range in the city will be higher than on the highway, as the average speed in the city will be lower, and EVs will have to brake more often, adding energy to the battery); the weight of the vehicle, including the load; and finally the use
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of features in the EV (the air conditioning system, the radio, heated seats, etc.) will all consume energy from the same battery.
As a rule of thumb, a battery of an EV offers a driving range of about 60km for every 15kWh of battery capacity, but based on the above mentioned factors this might be reduced by up to 35%.
What is meant by ‘Smart Charging’
Smart charging refers to a charging system where electric vehicles, EV chargers and charging operators (using a backend software platform) share data connections. Through smart charging, the operators may monitor, manage, and restrict the use of charging devices to optimize energy consumption. In contrast to uncontrolled charging, smart charging will flatten the overall electricity usage peak by shifting the peak due to vehicle charging away from the peak due to ‘other’ consumption. As an example, a Smart Charging solution applied in a household would reduce the power charged to an EV at home, while the house is being heated, food is being cooked and television is being watched, all using electricity, and then increase the power charged to the car, during the night, when fewer domestic appliances are switched on, in order to keep the total electricity usage below a certain threshold.
Our Veefil range of rapid and ultra rapid chargers are smart charging ready and compatible with the backend management solutions allowing for this, including our own.
Where does the electricity come from to power EV chargers?
The electricity is supplied through the electric grid (above and underground cables and transformers) and by the electrical companies (Utilities), such as EDF in France, EON in Germany, Enel in Italy and Spain, etc.
If the electricity isn’t from renewable sources, is EV charging really good for the environment?
Electricity is generated in different ways, using renewable (solar, wind turbines, hydropower, nuclear, etc.) or non-renewable (brown coal, gas, etc.) sources. It can be argued that even when non-renewable sources are used to produce electricity, it is easier to
avoid the polluting effects, as it is created in specific locations (i.e. in the power plants) rather than on the roads, which makes it easier to filter.
Compatibility
How do I know which charger is suitable for my site?
We understand that every site is different and will work closely with you to design the perfect solution. Our e-Mobility specialists will be able to advise, during a telephone consultation and/or a site visit, the charging infrastructure which is most suitable for your site. Generally speaking, the choice will depend on the electricity power than can be brought to the site, availability of real estate, and the additional services that will be offered on the site. Please contact us for an initial, no obligation consultation to find out more.
In the mean time, here are some broad guidelines:
AC Charger: Ideal for situations with prolonged dwell time, e.g. residential parking, office, retail & leisure car parks.
Rapid Charger: Ideal for forecourts, motorway services, work car parks, retail and leisure complexes, fleet businesses, and anywhere else where a fast charge is required but space may be limited.
Ultra-rapid Charger: Same use as a Rapid Charger - however, with Ultra-rapid chargers, the charging time will be significantly faster if the battery management system of the EV permits. The higher power offering is achieved through additional hardware such as power cabinets, so for this option a little more space is required, as well as certain on site electricity power availability (which will most certainly require an upgrade of the cable and transforming infrastructure).
Are electric chargers safe for a forecourt environment?
EV chargers should always be installed by specially trained electrical technicians who have forecourt experience. When installing EV chargers on a petroleum retail forecourt, the specific zoning requirements (related to vapour on the forecourt) need to be complied with, resulting in the need to respect minimum distances between the EV
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chargers and the fuel dispensers, and the requirements related to the space where the EV may be parked when being charged on a forecourt.
Once installed, EV chargers are completely safe for the public to use on a forecourt. That’s because electricity only flows between the charger and the car once the cables are safely locked in place. If they are not, charging won’t commence. Furthermore all components are sealed and waterproofed to the highest safety regulations, so it’s still perfectly safe to charge come rain or snow.
Are Gilbarco Veeder Root’s chargers compatible with current electric vehicle models?
Yes, our rapid and ultra rapid chargers are compatible with most modern EVs. They feature CHAdeMO (Japanese automotive industry standard) and CCS type 2 (European automotive industry standard) connectors , which are the standard connectors for most EV models on the road in Europe. Tesla cars use their own connector type, but they are supplied with a suitable convertor for a CHAdeMO connector. The Tesla model 3 is equipped with a standard CCS type 2 plug. Only Renault EVs can only be charged using an AC connector (not supplied on our standard Veefil chargers).
Will Gilbarco Veeder-Root’s chargers be relevant for future electric vehicle models?
Yes - the intention here is to support Europe in building a charging infrastructure which not only serves present requirements but which will be able to meet the growing demands of the future. Current EV passenger car models range between 15kW and 250kW input power charging capacity, with trucks reaching 200kW and higher. Our EV charging solutions currently range from 50kW to 350kW, which means that we are able to address the EV market of past, present and future.
Are Gilbarco Veeder-Root’s chargers compliant with Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP)?
Yes, the Veefil-RT and Veefil-PK chargers all come with the OCPP1.6J protocol, which is the current standard in the market. Tritium (the company who manufacture the Veefil chargers) also offer the new OCPP2.0 protocol but as none of the backend software system providers have developed this protocol fully, it has not
been applied in the field yet.
What is OCPP and what are the benefits?
OCPP stands for Open Charge Point Protocol and it is the standard communication interface between the EV charger and the backend software platform (a Cloud based POS). It can be compared to the IFSF standard protocol in the fuel dispensing world.
Installation
How much space would I need for a charger?
Our Veefil chargers offer the smallest footprint of any DC charging systems, for maximum installation options. The Veefil-RT is available as a standalone unit, capable of fitting into small spaces where real estate is at a premium. For the Veefil-PK high power charging system, you will need to allow space for additional hardware components (i.e. power and control units) however these can be placed up to 100m away, in the background and on less premium site real estate.
Who installs the charging infrastructure?
Gilbarco Veeder-Root (where we offer installation services directly, like in the UK, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland) can install and commission the Tritium Veefil charging equipment. In other countries in Europe some of our distributors/authorised service companies can install the charging equipment as well. Gilbarco Veeder-Root or Tritium would then have to step in to do the commissioning. The installation of the substation (if required) and the upgrade of the grid connection is either done by the regional Distribution Network Operator or by specialised electrical installation companies. The civil works and supply and installation of the cabling and foundations for the EV charging equipment needs to be executed by specialised electrical companies.
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How long does an installation take?
This depends on the type of EV charger, which needs to be installed, the available electrical power capacity on the site (and if this needs to be increased/upgraded), the overall site layout, the distance between the position of the charging equipment and the connection to the grid, the type of ground surface, etc.
The installation of the actual charging equipment (if the site is fully prepared to receive them) will take approximately:
• Half a working day with 2 experienced installation technicians for installing a Veefil-RT 50kW charger.
• 3 working days with 3 experienced technicians to install a Veefil-PK 175-350kW configuration with 2 User Units + 1full day with 1 technician to do the commissioning.
What would I need to prepare prior to the installation?
The following pre-work is required for installing a rapid DC EV charger on a public facing site:
• Obtaining a building permit.
• Checking and if required having the grid connection upgraded (including the installation of a Medium Voltage to Low Voltage Transformer Substation, in the case of a Veefil PK installation).
• Installing the required power and communications cabling and the foundations for the charging equipment.
• Installing the charging equipment.
• Commissioning the installation.
Do I have to close my operations during installation?
The installation process is designed to be as hassle free and least disruptive to your business as possible, partly owing to that fact that our chargers are some of the most lightweight and smallest footprint on the market. Depending on where the EV chargers will be installed (proximity to the forecourt and to the driveway to the forecourt) and where the power cables need to be installed, the installation of EV chargers can normally be done without closing the operations of your petrol station.
Does the installation require major groundworks or heavy machinery?
Yes, civil works are required for the installation of the power and communication cables, and for the foundations for the charging equipment. The level of civil works required will also depend on the power which is available on site already, the distance between the grid connection and the place where the charger will be installed, etc. Generally speaking, the amount of civil works required is lower when a Veefil-RT 50 kW charger is installed than if a Veefil-PK 175/350kW configuration is installed.
In addition, the Veefil-PK charging equipment require the use of a crane to put the equipment in place (on the foundations).
What site power is required?
In principle the power provided by the grid connection needs to be slightly higher (+/- 5%) than the power output offered to the EV drivers via the EV charging equipment. As an example, the on-site grid capacity should be about 53kW if a 50kW charger were to be connected to it (to cover for the losses and the operation of the charger). If a lower grid capacity were available, a limit could be set on the output of the charger, and therefore on the demand to the grid.
However, if multiple ultra-rapid chargers were to be installed, the capacity of the grid connection/Transformer Substation could be lower than the sum of the maximum output power of all the chargers, as it is unlikely that these will all be used simultaneously at the highest power level for charging an EV. This is why some Charge Point Operators (CPOs) install a 1.2MW Transformer Substation for feeding 6 User Units with a maximum output of 350kW each (or a total maximum output of 2.1MW). The maximum output of all chargers operating simultaneously is then limited at 1.15MW as an example, but if only 3 User Units were to be used at the same time, they all could charge at an output of 350kW (which is 1.05MW). In that case, the distribution of the maximum output power to each User Unit is dynamically handled by the Gilbarco Veeder-Root/Tritium equipment based on the power demanded by the different EVs using the connected User Units.
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Do I need an internet connection for the chargers to operate and is this secure?
The Gilbarco Veeder-Root/Tritium chargers communicate with the chosen backend software platform via a GSM 3G/4G modem or via an ethernet connection. The majority of installations use a GSM modem connection, but when an EV charger is installed on a petrol station with a LAN and a router, the charger could be connected to this LAN, which provides a lot more stability with respect to the connectivity. As the Charge Point Operator and Gilbarco Veeder-Root/Tritium need to remotely access the EV charging equipment in order to operate the chargers and provide technical support respectively, the necessary security measures (firewalls) need to be in place to link the chargers via this ethernet connection and the LAN on site.
What is the process of installing an electric charger? (Stages)
Your dedicated e-Mobility specialist will guide you through the process from start to finish. This will typically start with a consultation, to understand your site needs and usage, followed up with a site survey and a feasibility study. Next steps will be submitting planning permissions (if required), and finally, booking an installation date. During installation, the steps are as follows:
• Obtaining building permits.
• If required having the grid connection upgraded (including the installation of a Medium Voltage to Low Voltage Transformer Substation, in case of a Veefil-PK installation).
• Installing the required power and communications cabling and the foundations for the charging equipment.
• Installing the charging equipment.
• Commissioning the installation.
Visibility & Branding
Is it possible to have an EV charger in my company branding?
Yes - there are various options available to integrate your charger(s) into your company branding.
These range from custom/branded vinyl wraps on the chargers themselves, to branded HMI (Human Machine Interface) on the Veefil-PK 15” integrated user screen and software (backend management solution and/or charging app). We can help facilitate these options, and in some cases offer a charger livery design service.
Would the public be able to find my chargers on EV charging maps/apps?
Yes, when using Gilbarco Veeder-Root’s backend software solution your location(s) with real-time status of your own EV charging equipment will be added to Google maps and to other chargepoint location sites, relevant for the country in which you operate.
Cost
How much does it cost to purchase and install a charger?
This obviously depends on the type of charger: the equipment price depends on the type of charger and the options required, while the installation price not only depends on the type of charger, but also on the need for a grid upgrade (or not), on the distance between the grid connectivity/transformer substation and the EV charging equipment, the type of ground surface, etc. As a result, supply and installation of DC fast and ultra fast chargers (including connectivity upgrade - if required - civil works, installation and commissioning) will range between 40k Euro and 300k Euro (for a single Veefil-RT rapid charger or or a 2 user unit Veefil-PK ultra rapid configuration). Your Gilbarco Veeder-Root account manager will help you with working out the investment costs based on your requirements and the specifics of your site.
What government grants or incentives are there to offset the costs of installing EV chargers on my site?
Government incentives are available in some countries and the application requirements are country specific. Your Gilbarco Veeder-Root account manager can help you to identify and understand these.
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Do I need to be aware of additional costs?
In addition to the initial investment costs, operational costs will apply similar to those you would experience when operating a petroleum retail station. These operational costs (in addition to buying the electricity that you will be selling to the EV drivers) include:
• Preventative and reactive maintenance of the equipment (remote and field services).
• Backend software license fees (depending on the features used).
• Debit and credit card reader fees as well as the usual bank clearing handling fees (when the optional NFC credit card reader is installed).
Are Gilbarco Veeder-Root’s charging solutions covered by warranty?
Our chargers come with a free comprehensive 2 year parts and labour warranty as standard, plus an option to extend it to 5 years. With a product lifespan of 10 years+, we don’t expect you to need to use it, but it’s always nice to have that peace of mind.
What is the return on investment (ROI)?
The return on investment needs to be calculated on a site per site basis, as it is dependent on:
• The size of the initial investment (which is linked to the type of charger, the potential need to upgrade the grid connection, the cost of the civil and other installation works, etc)
• The cost and sales price of the electricity (cost charged by the Utility and the Distribution network Operator; sales price determined by you)
• The operational costs (remote support, preventative and reactive maintenance, backend software platform recurrent fees, payment fees)
• The average number of charging sessions a day (which is linked to the amount of potential EV traffic near to your site)
• The average kWh delivered per charging session (which is also linked to the amenities you offer on site)
• The additional shop sales (coffee, food and beverages, cigarettes, etc)
Your Gilbarco Veeder-Root account manager can assist you in putting such a business case together, specific to your site.
Pricing & Payment
How do I set the pricing on the chargers?
It’s easy to manage your charger settings, including pricing, via your charger management platform (the Gilbarco Veeder-Root backend software solution). You will be able to set your own pricing, for example charging by the kWh or a flat fee per charging session, and many more options.
What payment types are accepted / How do I take payment from my customers?
Depending on the configuration of the charging equipment the following payment means are available to take payment for a charging session:
• If the charger is connected to a backend, RFID cards (issued by the CPO or by other eMSPs, when roaming is enabled) and smart phone Apps can be used where the EV driver is subscribed to such payment means.
• If the EV charger is identified by means of a specific QR code (identifying the merchant), the EV driver can download an EV charging App (without any subscription), scan the QR code and make an online payment using PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay or a credit card.
• If the EV charger is equipped with a NFC debit and credit card reader, the EV driver can pay for the charging session using his/her bank or credit card.
• If the EV charger is connected to the DOMS PSS5000 controller (and to the POS interfaced to this forecourt controller) all payment means offered in the shop or on the forecourt (OPT) can also be used to pay for a charging session.
Your Gilbarco Veeder-Root account manager can elaborate on all of these payment means.
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What is an RFID card?
An RFID card is a Radio-frequency identification card which is embedded with an electromagnetic chip, which identifies the card when held against an RFID reader (which is integrated in the charger) by transmitting an identifying number, back to the reader. This number is then compared to a “white list” of card numbers in order to approve the charging session, using the backend software solution.
How much would a full charge cost a customer (vs. a full tank of fuel)?
This obviously depends on the capacity of the battery of the EV and the sales price of the electricity at the charger. In order to load the battery of an EV with a total capacity of 90 kWh, from a 10% battery level to a 100% level (i.e. adding 81 kWh worth of power to the battery) at a sales price of 50 cent per kWh, the EV driver would have to pay 40.5 Euro.
I operate a c-store. If customers aren’t making a payment in-store, how can I drive extra revenue?
Adding EV charging infrastructure to your retail site in fact provides the perfect opportunity to drive more c-store footfall and revenue, as EV drivers pause for a coffee and food break as their vehicle recharges. Unlike with traditional fuel dispensers, customers may leave their EV unattended as it charges to make use of other on-site facilities.
Charger Management
Can I monitor usage of each chargers?
Yes - you will be able to monitor, measure and control your charging network, load distribution, and electricity consumption in real time through our cloud-based backend software solution. Our chargers are also ‘Dynamic Site Power Management’ enabled, allowing you to control your entire site power usage and load share, without exceeding supply capacity.
Can I monitor my chargers or charging network via my mobile phone?
The cloud-based portal of the Gilbarco Veeder-Root backend software solution can be accessed via PC or tablet. Given the size of the dashboard and the amount of information displayed, a smartphone (and the size of its screen) is not the best tool to access this portal and operate it.
Will I have access to performance reports?
Yes - through our backend management solution, you will be able to access and report on a range of metrics, including charging activity, power activity, uptime, and so on, to help make informed business decisions.
Services, Maintenance & Aftersales Support
How often do EV chargers need servicing?
Our charging solutions are designed to be intrinsically low maintenance as standard. Unlike other brands of chargers, our chargers feature patented liquid cooling technology. This eliminates the need for dust filters as found with air cooled chargers, which in turn means fewer replacement parts and lower maintenance. A large number of issues on EV chargers can also be resolved remotely. Whilst we don’t expect you to experience any downtime, our skilled remote support, service and maintenance teams are on hand to support you should require any support. For added peace of mind, our chargers are supplied with a standard 2 year warranty, with an extended 5 year warranty also available as an option.
Do you provide maintenance and aftercare services after installation?
A large number of the technical issues with EV charging equipment can be resolved remotely. Gilbarco Veeder-Root offer a Level 2 remote support agreement for the EV chargers to the Charge Point Operator who will be handling the Level 1 remote support (i.e. a call centre
answering the questions from the EV drivers) either directly or outsourced to a third party. Where Gilbarco Veeder-Root have directly owned service operations (UK, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland) we can also offer a field maintenance agreement for the EV chargers. In other countries we can either subcontract the field maintenance to our local authorised service agencies, or the CPO selects its own field maintenance supplier.
Do you offer an EV maintenance contract?
A large number of the technical issues with EV charging equipment can be resolved remotely. Gilbarco Veeder-Root offer a Level 2 remote support agreement for the EV chargers to the Charge Point Operator who will be handling the Level 1 remote support (i.e. a call centre answering the questions from the EV drivers) either directly or outsourced to a third party. Where Gilbarco Veeder-Root have directly owned service operations (UK, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland) we can also offer a field maintenance agreement for the EV chargers. In other countries we can either subcontract the field maintenance to our local authorised service agencies, or the CPO selects its own field maintenance supplier.
Is EV maintenance included in my standard Gilbarco Veeder-Root maintenance contract?
The maintenance of your EV charging equipment can be added as an addendum with specific SLAs and terms and conditions to the maintenance agreement you might already have for the other Gilbarco Veeder-Root equipment on your site. Your Gilbarco Veeder-Root account manager will be able to help you with working out a proposal that meets your requirements.
Do you provide operator training?
Yes, basic EV charger and backend platform operator documentation and training is provided as standard. In addition, our e-Mobility technical specialists are on hand to respond to any specific operating enquiries you may have.
How do I report a problem?
As all our chargers have been rigorously factory and field tested, we expect that you will rarely need to contact us with an issue, however as a Gilbarco Veeder-Root customer, you will have access to our dedicated e-Mobility remote help desk support (Mondays to Friday, From 8am to 6pm) via email or via the MyTritium tool.
Gilbarco Veeder-RootOur 150 years of serving and supporting the world’s forecourts mean we understand the changing face of mobility better than anyone else. From high-tech dispensers and forecourt automation to cloud-based wetstock management and now, the e-Mobility space. Together with Tritium, we bring unique synergies for a best-in-class EV charging network.
TritiumEstablished in 2001, Tritium is at the forefront of e-Mobility. Incorporating patented technologies and leading-edge engineering, Tritium’s range of Veefil high-power chargers are already the solution of choice for thousands of forecourts, motorway services, retail car parks and charging networks across Europe.
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