Charged: 15 questions with...Applegreen

Applegreen Electric was founded in 2021 as a subsidiary of Applegreen to focus exclusively on the delivery of EV charging infrastructure in the companies three key geographies. They are also one of the largest motorway plaza operators in Europe and the US, so you may have already stopped at one on a road trip!

To get the inside scoop on all future plans we caught up with Jack O’Brien, the UK county manager for Applegreen Electric.

(*You can check where your nearest Applegreen charger is by searching the map or using the app filters)

About Applegreen...

Can you tell us about Applegreen Electric and your mission in the EV charging industry?

Applegreen Electric, part of the Applegreen and Welcome Break group, hosts and operates universal access EV charge points in the UK, Ireland, and the US. We provide over 1 million fast charging sessions to our customers annually. 

Established in 1992, Applegreen is one of the largest motorway service operators in Europe and the US, with 600+ locations and 17,000 employees. Over the past decade we have focused our hiring efforts on those with extensive EV expertise, and in 2021 Applegreen Electric was started to focus on the implementation of EV charging across the Applegreen and Welcome Break groups. 

Our mission is to empower EV drivers to enjoy their journey by offering fast, convenient, and reliable charging at accessible locations with high-quality amenities. 

How many charge points does Applegreen Electric currently operate across its network?

We operate 254 charge points at 20 locations in the UK, 62 charge points at 23 locations in Ireland, and 98 charge points across the north-east of the US.

What three words would you use to describe Applegreen Electric charging experience?

Universal, Fast, Reliable.

Has Applegreen Electric got plans to expand its network across the UK?

Our aim is to equip all Welcome Break locations in the UK with EV chargers over the next few years, so expect to see more and more sites going live shortly. We are also looking at expanding some of our busiest existing sites to ensure that we have more than enough chargers to deal with demand.

We are aiming to operate over 1,000 charge points across the UK by 2028, and we will continue to expand our network as EV adoption increases. 

Tell us about the charging hardware you have installed and how fast can they charge a vehicle?

In the UK we use ABB and Power Electronics hardware. ABB chargers offer up to 180kW and can charge two vehicles at once, while Power Electronics chargers deliver up to 360kW and can charge four vehicles simultaneously. Typically, our customers can charge from 20% to 80% in just 30 minutes, depending on various factors like battery size and state-of-charge.

What motivated Applegreen Electric to partner with Octopus and why are partnerships like this crucial to accelerating the public charging infrastructure?

Our partnership with Octopus aims to make EV charging accessible and hassle-free for all drivers in the UK. Collaborations like this leverage combined expertise and resources, enhancing the overall experience for EV drivers.

What are Applegreen Electric’s main priorities when it comes to EV charging?

We are focussing on making things reliable, easy, and convenient for the customer.

Reliability: With a dedicated customer support team and a smart back-end system that flags outages instantly, our chargers are designed to be highly reliable with exceptional uptime.

Ease of Use: Our chargers are equipped with tap-and-go payment terminals and clear instructions, making the charging process as user-friendly as possible.

Convenience: Our chargepoints are strategically located at the most convenient spots along the busiest motorways in the UK, offering easy access for the customer to charge their vehicle.

What role does customer feedback play in the development and improvement of Applegreen Electric's services?

Customer feedback plays a vital role in ensuring that we are constantly improving and delivering the best possible service to our customers. We collect input through surveys, social media and customer service interactions to continually enhance our services and technology.

We work closely with our hardware and software partners to ensure that our systems and customer experience remain at the forefront of our operations.

Customers can share their thoughts and feedback at customersupport@applegreenelectric.com.

What three bits of advice would you give to customers when using a public EV charger?

Plan your charging stops on long trips for a stress-free journey and choose locations with amenities you enjoy.

Keep your battery between 20% and 80% for optimal performance. 

Be considerate of other drivers. Don’t leave your car in a charging bay longer than necessary!

Where can Applegreen Electric customers go to get in touch or learn more?

Follow us on social media and LinkedIn for updates and offers. 

Facebook & Instagram: @applegreenelectric

X: @applegreenelec

Customers can also visit www.applegreenelectric.com for more information!

About you...

Jack O'Brien, UK Country Manager for Applegreen Electric

What’s your dream electric vehicle? 

Forthcoming Range Rover EV. It's already a peerless luxury car, and I think the BEV powertrain will enhance that further.

What’s the longest journey you’ve completed in an EV - and can you share the total mileage?

I regularly drive Glasgow > London > Glasgow, 800-mile round trip. But I've been to the far north of Scotland in my car, too. Range is not a worry!

Do you have an EV life hack to share with the EV community?

Before arriving at an Applegreen Electric charger, let your car know you're going to be rapid charging and pre-heat your battery for even speedier charge sessions.

What advice would you give someone looking to use an Applegreen Electric charging location for the first time? 

Stretch your legs and head inside for a refreshing coffee. It's important you recharge as well as your car!

And finally - an EV etiquette question - what would you say is the golden rule to using a public charger?

Think of others, once you've finished recharging, please move your car off the charger. There could be others waiting.

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