Power Up: Midland Fire Installs New EV Charging Infrastructure at Aston University

Earlier this year, our Electrical Division was appointed to supply, install, test and commission a new EV charging installation in one of Aston University’s campus car parks. This project was important for the University, as it supported their ongoing commitment to sustainability and the global transition towards lower‑carbon transport.

As part of a wider decarbonisation programme, Aston University required additional EV charging capacity on their campus to better support staff, fleet vehicles and visitors. Our brief was to design and deliver a new EV charging infrastructure that would operate safely without putting strain on the existing on-site electrical systems.

The project also included the delivery of signage and bay markings, which we completed in collaboration with specialist providers, and the new chargers needed to be integrated with the University’s existing EV billing and management systems. Above all, it was important for our team to maintain safety and accessibility for staff and students throughout the installation.

 

Our priority was to get the electrical infrastructure right, ensuring everything was fully compliant, while delivering an expanded EV charging network that the University can depend on every day. We worked closely with specialist contractors throughout the project to minimise disruption and keep campus life running smoothly from start to finish.

Pete Walker, Electrical Contracts Manager @ Midland Fire

 

 

Aston University

Aston University is a leading UK university based in Birmingham, known for its focus on sustainability, innovation and investment in sustainable infrastructure. With strong links to industry and a practical approach to teaching and research, Aston helps tackle real-world challenges while preparing students with the skills they need for the future.

The University’s work supports businesses, communities and the wider region, driving positive change across the West Midlands. We’ve been in partnership with them for many years, providing ongoing fire and life safety services to help protect their buildings and campus.

 

EV charging infrastructure installation at Aston University

 

The project

For this project, our team managed and delivered a full turnkey EV charging installation in car park 12 of the Aston University campus. Our work included power distribution, protection, signage, bay markings and system commissioning.

We completed the following:

• Supply and installation of 8 x Easee Charge EV Charging Stations (22kW, 32A, type 2 sockets) with intelligent load and phase balancing.
• Installation of a new EV charger distribution board, housed in a GRP enclosure.
• Installation of a 100A supply from the existing LV panel to the new EV charger DB with surge protection.
• Full cabling and containment installation to all eight chargepoints.
• Individual three‑phase Type A RCBO protection added for each charger.
• Easee system onboarding and billing integration.

 

Following installation, we fully commissioned and onboarded each chargepoint, including NFC configuration, connection to the Easee Cloud platform, and reconfiguration to the Chaarge back‑end management and billing system. We then tested the system and issued NICEIC certification, confirming its compliance with current electrical regulations and best practice.

 

Collaboration

Throughout this project, we worked closely with other contractors from Aston University’s approved supply chain. Working together, our teams ensured that the installation was up to the highest possible standard and was delivered within the correct timescale.

 

• Chaarge, who manage the commissioning, billing and ongoing system management for all Aston’s EV chargers, provided us with detailed design support and specialist commissioning for the chargepoints, ensuring optimal configuration, system integration, and reliable operation. The Easee 22kwhr chargers we installed support future expansion with intelligent load and phase balancing without costly electrical upgrades, and ensure seamless load distribution across the entire building.
• AAC Road Markings Ltd. carried out all bay marking work, including laser removal of existing markings and the creation of eight newly designated solid green EV charging bays, in accordance with current standards and accessibility requirements.
• Estates Signs & Print Ltd. supplied and installed all associated car park signage, including signage for four double EV bays and ten EV disc signs to clearly identify the charging locations.

 

The result

Aston University now has eight additional EV chargers on its campus, with a dedicated and protected electrical infrastructure to support the expansion. The new EV parking bays are clearly marked, and their chargers are fully integrated into the University’s existing systems, making them easy to manage and use.

Above all, the new on-campus EV charging facility we installed will support the increasing adoption of electric vehicles across the University and help Aston move forward into a more sustainable future.

 

Understanding the entire EV charging infrastructure

Despite common misconceptions, installing EV chargers is more than just choosing a charger and putting it on a wall. In fact, your electrical contractor should look at the entire charging infrastructure, which includes the electrical systems, equipment and power supplies required to charge a vehicle. Unlike residential installations, the process of setting up a commercial EV infrastructure should involve careful consideration of electrical capacity, load management, building use, demand and future growth.

 

An EV charging infrastructure typically includes:

• EV charging units.
• Dedicated electrical circuits.
• Distribution board upgrades.
• Cable routes.
• Groundworks or mounting equipment.
• Parking bay planning.
• Signage.
• Software and access controls.
• Metering, billing and usage monitoring.
• Ongoing customer support.

 

So you see that installing commercial EV chargers requires careful design and planning, as well as an in-depth knowledge of electrical system safety. It’s therefore crucial to hire an experienced contractor like Midland Fire, who is fully qualified to plan, install and maintain commercial EV chargers.

 

OZEV electric vehicle chargepoint grants

Midland Fire Security Services Ltd are an OZEV-approved installer for electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints. The government offers OZEV grants to help with the cost of buying and installing chargepoints for electric vehicles.

 

Workplace Charging Scheme

This grant provides up to £500 per socket towards the cost of installing chargepoints at workplaces. A business can apply for grants for up to 40 sockets across all sites.

The grant is open to eligible:

• Businesses
• Charities
• Public sector organisations

 

Workplace Charging Scheme for state-funded education institutions

State-funded schools and education institutions can apply for grants of up to 75% of the cost of installing EV chargepoints, up to £2,000 per chargepoint socket. They can also apply for grants for up to 40 sockets across all sites.

 

Looking for EV charger installation and maintenance in the Midlands?

We provide expert commercial EV charger installation and maintenance across the Midlands and the UK. Supporting contractors, commercial clients and public sector organisations of all shapes and sizes, our experienced Electrical Division can help you, whatever your business.

We also provide a range of fire safety and security services, and we’ll work with you to plan and deliver the optimum solutions bespoke to your premises.

At Midland Fire WE PROTECT. For more information and a free consultation, contact Midland Fire Security Services Ltd.

 

Photo: Johand2222 / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY-SA 3.0