TUAL, an innovator in high-performance electric van powerbanks, has opened its new HQ at Bicester Motion, the 444-acre future mobility estate in Bicester.
TUAL has taken Building 123b for its HQ to complement its technical development & engineering centre and planned assembly line in Glasgow, as it continues to advance its scale-up phase.
TUAL has identified that there is an urgent need for enterprise fleets and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to adopt electric Light Commercial Vehicles (eLCVs), with fleet contracts demanding the integration of zero-emission vans and regulatory pressures requiring vehicle-manufacturers to deliver them. However, TUAL has seen that current driving-range and vehicle-charging challenges have created a significant cost-burden on businesses.
With 40% of van use-cases exceeding real-world eLCV range, and 70% of van drivers unable to charge at home or depot, TUAL’s conversations with industry stakeholders have shown that over a five-year period, lost productivity from charging downtime can cost fleets up to £150,000 per driver or vehicle.
TUAL’s highly modular, portable powerbanks seamlessly integrate into the van’s load space. They have been optimised to help enterprise fleets overcome grid and vehicle constraints by providing vehicle-range extension and overnight charging, regardless of location.
TUAL is formed of a team of eight industry specialists, with plans to grow to 30 across three continents by 2026.
TUAL’s arrival is Bicester Motion’s first high-performance battery specialist and business dedicated to commercial vehicles and enterprise fleets. TUAL has joined future mobility pioneers which include NEOM McLaren Electric Racing, Polestar, urban electric two-wheeler manufacturer Zapp and synthetic fuel developer Zero Petroleum.
Located in one of the UK’s leading regions for scientific and technological innovation, Bicester Motion presents a central location for business and product development, reinforced by robust static- and live-drive environments for showcasing and testing TUAL’s ground-breaking technology.
Philip Clarke, CEO and Founder of TUAL, said: “Bicester Motion provides TUAL with an industry-leading launchpad for accelerating the development of our unique, cutting-edge electric commercial-vehicle charging solutions. From world-class engineering expertise, to a host of on-site specialist partners, proximity to the Advanced Propulsion Centre team, and its inspiring entrepreneurial culture, Bicester Motion is a natural location for us to propel our business forward.
“The industry needs to seize the opportunity to electrify commercial vehicles. We intend to scale our commercial operations at Bicester, in parallel with the expansion of technical operations in Glasgow, to help businesses make a success of the electric commercial-vehicle transition – now and in the future.”
Daniel Geoghegan, Chief Executive of Bicester Motion added: “We warmly welcome TUAL to our thriving future mobility community. Their innovative technology has the capability of transforming commercial vehicle EV infrastructure. We look forward to seeing their growth continue to accelerate in their new home.”