Electric vehicle charging equipment manufacturer Wallbox is expanding into the UK as it puts the focus on advanced technology that takes into account future charging needs while simplifying the charging process.

The Wallbox Commander charging unit includes touchscreen functionality

Based in Spain, Wallbox operates in 30 markets around Europe and overseas, including New Zealand and China, and has carried out just under 20,000 installations to date.

The business is now looking to expand into the UK, which it sees as one of its most important growth opportunities – UK ULEV new car registrations rose 11% in the first quarter of the year – and is currently ramping up operations, including exploring plans to locate a new research and development centre in the UK.

The company, which will launch its UK business at the Cenex-LCV2018 low carbon vehicle event next week, was jointly founded by CEO and ex-Tesla engineer Enric Asuncion and Eduard Castañeda and more than half of the 80-strong workforce is involved in software and hardware development, with many having an IT background.

Wallbox will initially sell three smart electric vehicle charging units in the UK: the compact Pulsar solution; the Commander, with touch screen functionality; and Copper, with facial recognition access control.

All products are rated up to 22 kW, suitable for domestic and commercial installation and connect to the myWallbox energy management platform, which enables scheduling to take advantage of time and use tariffs and energy balancing between vehicle and the home. Wallbox chargers have connectivity through WiFi, Ethernet or Bluetooth.

Explaining the company’s approach, Enric Asuncion said: “Customer understanding and innovation are fundamental to our approach. We have to remember that when people buy a plug-in vehicle, they are taking control and owning their mobility-energy for the first time. This is a big and very liberating change.

“To date the emergence of electric propulsion has mostly been framed in terms of societal and environmental change. We recognise these big issues but are also responding with a new design language, one that rewards the important choices people are making with solid engineering, creativity and functionality to deliver charging solutions that have emotion and flair.”