Opcharge, a leading charge point operator in the Netherlands, has expanded into the UK market with the opening of its first charging station.

L-R: Bishop of Oxford, the Rt. Rvd Dr Steven Croft, Thomas Herbert, managing director of Opcharge UK and Compleo UK CEO, Valentin Scheltow

The charge points have been installed at the Diocese of Oxford head office, kicking off Opcharge’s mission to grow substantially in the UK’s public charging network by 2030.

The Diocese of Oxford is one of the largest in the Church of England with over 800 churches and 285 church schools across the UK and has plans to reach net zero by 2035.

The new hub will help the Diocese reduce its carbon footprint, enabling staff and visitors to charge their vehicles while undertaking Church business.

“The target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees is already slipping away from us. Society has only a limited time to act but we should be in no doubt whatsoever that there is a strong and deep possibility of change if we act now,” said Bishop of Oxford, the Rt. Rvd Dr Steven Croft.

“The Church of England can play a key part in the journey to net zero through example and leadership, but this must be through actions as well as through our words. The installation of new EV chargers at Church House Oxford is another step on our journey towards net zero carbon emissions.”

For Opcharge, the new charge points mark the start of ambitious expansion plans for the UK market in the coming months. It says the Diocese of Oxford hub will be swiftly followed by the installation of EV charging stations at multiple sites across the country.

The company specialises in destination and public charging and offers fully funded charging solutions for organisations and local authorities across the UK, facilitating the installation, maintenance and ongoing costs of the EV charging points itself.

Thomas Herbert, managing director of Opcharge UK, said: “At Opcharge we are passionate about the importance of having an accessible and convenient public charging network for everyone. As a company dedicated to promoting sustainability and innovation, we believe that charge point operators play a key role in the future of transportation within the UK, to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles at the rate required to reach of net zero goals.”

The new installation also heralds a strategic UK partnership between Opcharge and charge point manufacturer Compleo, which supplied the 22kW AC chargers installed at the Diocese of Oxford.

“We’re really proud to support Opcharge in their entry to the UK market,” said Compleo UK CEO, Valentin Scheltow. “By working together with the Oxford Diocese, it’s enabled three Oxfordshire-based businesses to come together to accelerate the rollout of EV charging and improve air quality for all of our communities.”