TUAL Technology Ltd, a Glasgow-based company known for its innovative swappable powerbanks and ultra-deployable charging solutions for commercial electric vehicles (EVs), is set to address the pressing need for rapid charging at UK automotive dealerships. With 8,000 UK-based dealerships facing critical grid limitations, TUAL is focusing on delivering a fast and efficient charging solution for electric customer and demonstrator vehicles.
TUAL has been building on the success of recent fleet trials, and now aims to help dealership groups, especially those leasing their properties. These dealers are seeing increased demand for EV test drives, vehicle deliveries, and pre-delivery preparations, but their charging infrastructure is outdated or insufficient. Moreover, many dealers are hesitant to invest in costly grid upgrades.
The company’s solution, the PowerUp Charger, is a battery-buffered, fast-charging device that works without the need for expensive grid updates. Installed in under an hour, the PowerUp Charger offers 200kW DC charging using a standard 11kW supply, which was previously only enough for slow AC charging.
Philip Clarke, CEO and founder of TUAL, emphasized the challenges automotive retailers face in the electric vehicle transition, noting that many dealerships are stuck with slow or inadequate charging systems. He said, “Whether it’s a showroom in a busy city or a pre-delivery inspection site on the outskirts, many retailers are being held back by outdated charging infrastructure. Our PowerUp Charger makes fast EV charging available now, not years down the line.”
Jason Button, Managing Director of Cambria Property Investments, pointed out the challenges of installing rapid chargers at hundreds of dealership sites. High capital expenditure (CapEx), lengthy grid upgrades, and planning delays make traditional solutions unfeasible. He sees TUAL’s PowerUp charger as a game-changer, offering an affordable, off-grid solution with quick installation.
Data from TUAL reveals that up to 80% of automotive retail and preparation sites face significant power supply issues. Grid upgrades can take one to three years and cost between £150,000 and £3 million, which is an investment many dealerships are unable to make.
The PowerUp Charger helps bypass these issues by storing energy off-peak or integrating with renewable on-site energy sources. This setup enables fast 200kW DC charging at the point of use, allowing faster turnaround times for EVs entering stock, smoother handovers to customers, and enhanced test-drive experiences. Additionally, it provides an opportunity for dealerships to offer rapid-charging services, which could be a key competitive advantage.
TUAL plans to partner with a select group of early adopters in the UK and Europe, rolling out PowerUp chargers at retail networks that need to quickly and flexibly electrify their operations. This move follows a successful trial with Wincanton, a leading supply chain company, where the PowerUp charger helped support the daily operations of 19 electric vans. The solution quadrupled the site’s charging output using just an 11kW connection.
Concluding, Mr. Clarke stated, “Whether you’re selling EVs or running them, charging needs to be fast, simple, and reliable. TUAL is here to remove any barriers to electrification, wherever they exist.”
