ALFEN Receives First Independent Certificate for Charging Stations
DEKRA Seal Improves Transparency around Charging Stations in E-automotive Sector
Arnhem, The Netherlands, 13 June 2012 – The charging station sector is a relatively new and rapidly expanding market. Although various European standards apply, they have been overtaken by the rapid pace of technological change, resulting in several shortcomings. Meanwhile, as the market continues to mature, quality is becoming more important than ever. By enabling suppliers to demonstrate that their charging stations fully comply with all relevant standards, the DEKRA Seal – handed over for the first time today – is helping to improve transparency within the sector.
As electric cars continue to gain wider acceptance, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are becoming an increasingly familiar sight in our towns and cities. However, having established that the existing standards fell short in certain areas, DEKRA has introduced an independent certification mark as a way of helping the EV industry to maintain its positive image.
Independent testing
Peter Dutrieux, Account Manager Traffic & Mobility at DEKRA, explains: “It became apparent that compatibility problems between vehicles and charging stations were causing uncertainty for car makers, charging-station manufacturers and consumers alike. With the existing standards open to a degree of interpretation, we were keen to resolve the situation before the sector suffered any long-term negative effects. This led us to develop the DEKRA Seal, Europe’s first independent testing and certification programme specifically designed for charging stations.”
This certification programme allows manufacturers to prove that their charging stations have been independently tested and found to meet all relevant standards: the DEKRA Seal. Using DEKRA’s existing KEMA-KEUR test for electrical safety as a cornerstone, the DEKRA Seal also includes protocol testing to certify a charging station’s functionality.
Transparency
At a seminar on Traffic and Mobility held today in the Papendal Conference Centre near Arnhem, the first DEKRA Seal certificate was handed over to Dutch manufacturer ALFEN B.V. Jerry van Zundert, Commercial Director at ALFEN, comments: “In response to the technical problems, individual car makers began introducing their own tests for charging stations, making the situation even more complex. We felt that transparency was needed, and that could only be provided by an independent body. DEKRA already handled all of our electrical testing, and now it has developed a test covering not only safety but also functionality, we’re only too pleased to be involved. We’re honoured to receive the first certificate.”
Commitment
Looking ahead to the future, Vincent Roes, Business Line Director Product Testing at DEKRA, comments: “The DEKRA Seal will help manufacturers to validate their claims, saving both customers and suppliers a lot of inconvenience. It will also help to reassure customers and end users that the charging stations are safe to use and function correctly. As part of our ongoing commitment to the automotive sector, we’re involved in a number of working groups to further improve standardisation at a European level. I hope that all of these efforts will benefit the industry as a whole and, ultimately, the environment too.”
About DEKRA:
DEKRA SE is one of the world’s leading expert organisations. The company currently runs activities in more than 50 countries. Over 27,000 employees are committed to ensuring long-term safety, quality and environmental protection. The DEKRA Business Units “Automotive”, “Industrial” and “Personnel” provide professional and innovative services in the fields of vehicle testing, expert appraisals, international claims management, consulting, industrial testing, product testing, certification, environmental protection, qualification as well as temporary work. In 2011 DEKRA generated sales totalling around 2 billion euros.
All testing, inspection, auditing and certification activities of the former KEMA Quality are an integral part of the DEKRA Certification Group. This also applies to all related safety, conformity and certification marks, such as KEMA-KEUR.
About ALFEN:
For over 75 years, ALFEN BV has been a trusted and recognised developer, manufacturer and supplier of high, middle and low voltage grid equipment in the Netherlands. ALFEN has developed into an international, independent and innovative powerhouse as a turn-key supplier of substations including transformers, middle voltage (MV) systems, MV-switchgears with a complete portfolio of design, production, installation, monitoring and maintenance activities.
Transformer substations have been ALFEN’s specialty for a long time for both individual deliveries as well as integration within complete projects. Beside all of our products, our professional project organisation means that ALFEN is able to provide custom solutions for a broad variety of situations. Thanks to our lengthy experience with middle voltage systems, ALFEN is able to act as a solution-focussed knowledge centre when it comes to electrical networks to find the best and most efficient solution for our customers.
Under the brand name ICU, ALFEN started developing and manufacturing charging stations in 2008. Since then ALFEN ICU has developed a complete range of charging solutions for both public and private locations. Within this short period of time, ICU has become one of the most important producers of charging stations in the Netherlands with more than 500 charging locations.
Beside the wide range of products, ALFEN also offers complete maintenance and service plans for both middle voltage networks and charging stations. All of these products, services and innovations contribute to ALFEN’s goal to optimise the medium voltage grid and work towards smart, durable solutions.
Reageer...
Heeft u een vraag, opmerking of suggestie? Laat het ons weten via .
