Schneider Electric Signs Pact With Inchcape for Electric Vehicle Solutions

Schneider Electric has signed a strategic partnership with Inchcape, an international vehicle services group, to launch a portfolio of one-stop total eMobility solutions for electric vehicles (EVs).

Supporting the Hong Kong government’s EV popularization initiative and the Home Subsidy Scheme, Schneider has planned to install around 3,000 EV chargers in nearly 90 locations by the end of the year. This will pave the way to achieving its goal of installing more than 15,000 EV chargers by 2025.

The partnership with Inchcape aims to provide car park operators, facilities managers, as well as private EV drivers with an integrated EV solution, including electric cars, seamless charging and comprehensive services.

The rapid transition to zero-emission vehicles is vital to meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement on climate change. That transition is accelerating, especially in Hong Kong where in March 2022, EVs represented about 3.4 percent of the total number of vehicles, Schneider said in a statement

“As an impact company, Schneider Electric is dedicated to helping customers, partners and communities around the world to make positive, long-term changes. We are proud to partner with Inchcape to contribute to the global electrification and decarbonization of transport and help Hong Kong achieve its ambition of reaching net-zero in terms of carbon emissions by 2050,” said Jonathan Chiu, president of Schneider Electric Hong Kong.

“This collaboration is an important step in popularizing EVs and supporting the growth of sustainable mobility across Hong Kong. Combining our advanced EV charging technology with Inchcape’s extensive business network, we will accelerate the development of smart, end-to-end solutions and transform the entire electric mobility ecosystem.”

Ted Lau, managing director of Greater China of Inchcape said: “The country’s 14th Five-Year Plan stipulates that carbon neutrality is a priority development direction, leading to the growth of new energy vehicle as a strategic, new product industry.

“In Hong Kong’s Roadmap on Popularization of Electric Vehicles, the HKSAR government has also committed to driving EV development, with a forecast of 150,000 units of charging devices built-in private commercial or residential parking spaces and another 5,000 units in public charging facilities by 2025.”

In line with the government’s goal to build more charging facilities to address a pain point in the development of the current EV market, the joint venture will provide drivers with more charging facilities and solutions, he added.

The electrification of transportation is critical in the journey to a net-zero future. Schneider Electric said its EcoStruxure for eMobility is a connected, end-to-end solution that is easy to install, maintains power reliability in car parks and buildings, and provides a convenient experience for operators and EV drivers.