Miralis secures grant to advance EV charging research

Lancaster-based Miralis Data has secured government funding to take its electric vehicle charging research from feasibility studies to testing on real fleets.

The transport-focused software and data science company is working to solve the problems of enabling and enticing businesses to switch their fleets to electric vehicles.

Working in partnership with Envisij and Mina, it has secured funding through the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV).

This project, named FCSC or Fleet Connected Smart Charging, will produce a solution that enables fleets and their host sites to transition to electric vehicles quicker and more efficiently.

The research aims to find a balance for the expected charge needed for a varied fleet with the site’s electricity capacity. Energy management company Envisij will be partnering with Miralis to report real-time and projected site power capacity and site demand to Fuuse/Miralis. Miralis will devise a smart charging solution to optimise the remaining capacity, charging vehicles within cost and capacity parameters.

Will Maden, research director at Miralis, said: "One of the biggest crunch points for larger fleets transitioning to electric vehicles will be managing the supply of electricity. Most fleet managers will face challenges including how much charge different vehicles require, whilst trying to balance the most cost effective way to charge, and ensuring that site capacity is not compromised.

"The results of our partnership with Envisij and Mina on this project could be a real accelerator for the electrification of fleets. We’re excited to break down the barriers to transition and make EV charging more accessible, cost-effective and easier to deliver."

The project is set to kick off in August with a solution expected in spring 2022.

• For further Lancashire business news, advice and analysis subscribe to Lancashire Business View or join the LBV Hub from just £2.50 per month. Click here to subscribe now.