News Archives - Original ADS

Charge Pod features in the UK’s number-one motoring magazine.

by Tim Neale | Apr 18, 2023

Auto Express is a weekly motoring magazine sold in the United Kingdom. The magazine is Britain’s biggest-selling car magazine, with a circulation of over 30,000. In addition, the Auto Express website receives over 4 million visits per month. Auto Express is well-established for the latest news surrounding motoring issues, reviews and tests of the latest cars.

In issue number 1,774 (5-11 April 2023), Auto Express tackle issues around EV roadside assistance and range anxiety concerns. Naturally, Current Affairs Editor Tristan Shale-Hester looks to one of the biggest names in the business to see how they are adapting to provide EV support at the roadside. The article explains the RAC’s formidable EV Boost (aka Charge Pod) solution designed and developed by Original ADS.

A clear emphasis is made on how alternative methods of dealing with out-of-charge electric vehicles at the roadside have significant limitations, which may render them useless in certain situations. James Gibson, the RAC’s head of technical, explained that the RAC “wanted a solution for our EV customers that didn’t just involve picking up the vehicle and moving it”. There are several reasons why this would be an unpreferable response to the problem. For example, when some EVs are flat, the parking brake automatically activates, making it difficult to move the car in some scenarios. Therefore, EV users will require a short power boost to release the handbrake.

Using portable battery-powered EV chargers is highlighted in the story as another possible choice, but they also have their problems. RAC’s head of technical again explained why batteries were unsuitable for the RAC: “A 50kWh battery pack weighs about 700kg, which is a lot to carry around in the back of a van just in case you need it…”. Given the substantial weight of a battery-operated unit, this kind of product would substantially hinder the efficiency and capability of the RAC’s fleet. Using portable batteries would mean the RAC would have to significantly reduce the amount of equipment they carry used for other roadside assistance jobs, or they would have to purchase separate vehicles specifically for EV support. For these reasons, portable batteries do not fit into the RAC’s existing business model. By comparison, the Charge Pod system (in its entirety) weighs around 35kg, which, thanks to its engine-mounted generator, ensures it is always ready for use and never requires recharging.

Overall, the RAC’s preference for Charge Pod (EV Boost) over all other potential alternatives for dealing with out-of-charge electric vehicles is made clear throughout the feature. Its benefits to the RAC’s fleet are, however, best demonstrated by Shale-Hester when he explains that the “RAC has been fitting EV Boost to more of its vans and increasing its charge rate, too. More than 200 patrols are currently fitted with 5kW charging capability, while a 7.5kW version is on the way”.

More information:

To learn more about Auto Express magazine, check out their website here: Auto Express | New and Used Car Reviews, News & Advice

For more information about RAC roadside assistance for EV drivers, click here: RAC Electric Cars | RAC

To find out more about the Charge Pod system, click here: Charge Pod: The Lightweight and Compact Mobile EV Charger (originalads.co.uk)

A Flat First Drive

by Tim Neale | Mar 6, 2023

The Citroën Ami is an unapologetically quirky quadricycle that we will undoubtedly see more of in the coming months and years. Designed for use in bustling cities and towns, the Ami offers a more affordable way to go electric on four wheels. With UK regulations allowing 16-year-olds behind the wheel of the Ami, it will also provide a younger demographic with an introduction to electric vehicles.

The Ami has an unsurprisingly small 5.5kWh battery, providing the vehicle with a modest maximum range of 46 miles and a top speed of 30mph. However, many factors impact an EV’s achievable mileage, including the weather, driving style and payload. Therefore, vehicles with an already limited mileage may be at an even greater risk of running out of charge before they can reach a static charging station; this was the case for one Ami driver who ran out of power while test-driving the vehicle.

The vehicle achieved 40 miles before coming to a complete stop. The RAC responded to this case by deploying a standard patrol vehicle with the Original ADS Charge Pod system onboard. Charge Pod gave the car a power boost of 4 miles, enabling the driver to reach the nearest public charging station.

Charge Pod is a fantastic solution to the problem of flat or low-charge EVs. The system has been designed to be ultra-lightweight and compact, meaning it can be fitted into roadside recovery vehicles. Fleets like the RAC are, therefore, able to offer an EV charge at the roadside from a standard patrol vehicle. The fact that Charge Pod can be fitted seamlessly into existing patrol vehicles is a significant benefit when providing an out-of-charge service to EVs.

An alternative method of dealing with a flat EV could be to use a flatbed recovery truck. However, Citroen has designed the Ami for use in busy cities, and, as it is a compact vehicle, it can effortlessly drive through space-restricting areas. Therefore, if an Ami was to run out of charge in a location unsuitable for a flatbed recovery truck, roadside assistance companies must equip themselves with a solution which negates space. By installing Charge Pod, the RAC is effortlessly adapting to the transition to electric vehicles and maintaining its notorious reputation as a leading roadside assistance organisation in the UK.

For further information about our Charge Pod system, click here: Charge Pod: The Lightweight and Compact Mobile EV Charger (originalads.co.uk)

For more information about RAC electric vehicle breakdown, click here: Electric Car Breakdown Cover | #1 For EV Breakdown | RAC

RAC EV Boost (Charge Pod) and Wireless Trailer Board Feature on ITV Tonight

by Tim Neale | Feb 19, 2021

The Original ADS Charge Pod also known as RAC EV Boost and Wireless Trailer Board feature with the RAC on ITV’s current affairs series, ITV Tonight.

This episode named Cars: The End of Petrol and Diesel was created in light of the 2030 target for banning the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles.

During the programme, TV presenter Ginny Buckley set up a sequence where she deliberately ran an EV flat at the roadside to see exactly what happens to the vehicle and what kind of recovery is available for EV drivers.

Because the RAC are equipped with the Original ADS Charge Pod (RAC EV boost), they are able to deliver a power boost from their standard patrol vehicles that are currently in service due to the fact that Charge Pod is lightweight, compact, and offers 100% duty cycle of power.

This has proved to be an essential service for the RAC’s EV drivers as they have identified a trend occurring:

“Many of our patrols have been going to people at out of order charge points, so even if a person has planned their journey very carefully, they are frustrated that it’s not working”.

It is, therefore, critical that the RAC are able to provide a convenient out of fuel service to the growing number of EV customers.

To find out more about electric car breakdown assistance with the RAC, click here: Electric Car Breakdown Cover | #1 For EV Breakdown | RAC

For further information about our highly innovative Charge Pod system, click here.

More information about our Wireless Trailer Board can be found here.

To find out more about this episode follow this link.

One mile short

by Tim Neale | Jan 29, 2021

This driver had just picked up a hire car and set off on their journey when they realised that the vehicle had very little charge remaining. As a result, they proceeded on to the nearest high powered static charging station. However, the driver was not a regular EV driver and the charge depleted faster than they had anticipated. As they were wondering what to do when your EV runs out of charge, the inevitable happened…

When they were just 1 mile from a supermarket charging station, the vehicle ran totally flat leaving them stranded at the roadside so, the driver called the RAC for assistance.

The RAC were able to give the vehicle a quick and easy charge from the Charge Pod system installed on their standard patrol vehicles, enabling the patron to get to a static charging station in the safest and most convenient fashion.

It was incredibly fortunate that the RAC were able to provide this service because this EV operated a remote starting/keyless system, meaning it would have been unsafe to tow it and would otherwise have needed to be transported with all four wheels off the ground. In the current climate where both pollutants and social distancing are chief concerns, Charge Pod is the most practical and environmentally conscious solution available for roadside assistance companies for the problem or flat or severely depleted EVs.

So, if you are concerned about what to do when your EV runs out of charge, call the RAC for assistance!

To find out more about RAC membership and the support they provide for electric car breakdown, check out the following page: Electric Car Breakdown Cover | #1 For EV Breakdown | RAC

Further information about the use of Charge Pod within the RAC’s fleet can be found here: RAC exclusive deal will see hundreds more mobile EV charging vans on the road | RAC Drive

For more information about the innovative Charge Pod system, click here.

No electric car charge cards

by Tim Neale | Jan 22, 2021

After purchasing a brand-new electric car just 2 days ago, this EV driver was yet to obtain the electric car charge cards required to charge electric vehicles but was advised at the dealership that this would not be an issue as most charge points accept credit/debit cards to pay for the electricity. However, this was not case, and the driver failed to find a charging station which accepted payment from a credit/debit card before running out of charge.

After struggling to find a charging station which would accept a bank card payment, the driver was left stranded at a charging station, so he called the RAC for assistance.

Being armed with the Charge Pod system, the RAC were able to get the driver to a suitable static charging station promptly. Charge Pod is a lightweight and compact system offering 100% duty cycle of power which enables companies to provide an “out of fuel” service to EV drivers.

Now that the electric vehicle market is gaining momentum, misinformation about the charging infrastructure is likely to be problematic until people become more familiar with the technology. This makes it even more imperative that EV drivers are provided with the support they need during this transitional period.

To find out why Charge Pod is the most suitable solution to the problem of flat or severely charge depleted EVs on the global marketplace click here.

To find out how our super lightweight and compact Charge Pod system works, click here.

For further information about the use of Charge Pod within the RAC’s fleet, please follow the following link: RAC exclusive deal will see hundreds more mobile EV charging vans on the road | RAC Drive

Locked in a car park only to reach a broken electric car charging point

by Tim Neale | Dec 15, 2020

The driver of a 2014 Nissan LEAF got locked in a carpark, and as she was waiting for the carpark to reopen, she kept her car running with the heater turned on to keep warm. By the time the carpark opened, she realised that she did not have very much charge left so she drove to the nearest charging station at a nearby supermarket. However, when she reached the electric car charging point, she found that the charge point was not working. Not having enough charge to reach an alternative charging station, she called the RAC for assistance.

The RAC were able to deliver a roadside boost to the EV, thanks to the Original ADS Charge Pod solution. Charge Pod is a lightweight and compact system which offers 100% duty cycle of power, meaning it provides companies like the RAC with the perfect “out of fuel” service for their growing number of EV customers.

The occurrence of problems with electric charging points is a frequent issue for EV drivers. This results in many drivers being left stranded with very little or no charge to reach an alternative electric car charging point. This makes it imperative that companies who deal with EVs are able to provide the best possible solution to their customers.

For further information about why our Charge Pod solution was created, click here.

To find out more about our partnership with the RAC and the use of Charge Pod within the RAC’s fleet, please follow this link: RAC exclusive deal will see hundreds more mobile EV charging vans on the road | RAC Drive

More information about RAC membership which includes the Charge Pod (also known as RAC EV Boost) system, can be found here on the RAC website: Electric Car Breakdown Cover | #1 For EV Breakdown | RAC

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