Franklin Energy, a UK-based electrical vehicle charging point installer, has received investment from The North West Fund for Micro Loans to grow the amount of charging points in the North West of England.
Franklin Energy Limited, which was established in November 2013 to develop an electric vehicle charging infrastructure throughout the North West, has recently benefited from funding made available by Merseyside Special Investment Fund (MSIF).
Mr Byrne said: “MSIF have been very supportive over the last six months, and their investment will help us grow and take on new contracts and we expect to take on three staff during the first year.”
Sue Chambers, investment manager at MSIF, which jointly manages The North West Fund for Micro Loans, said: “There has been a huge drive to decarbonise UK transport and the government has made funding provisions and incentives to encourage the use of electrical vehicles.
“Rob has years of experience in the engineering sector and has established a strong support team to enable the business to complete installation projects. We believe this is a fast growing marketplace and we are very pleased to be supporting the business.”
The charging point company is currently working on an electric taxi project in Merseyside, and have a BYD E6 on trial as a private hire taxi in Liverpool.
Robert Byrne commented: “We have already won a contract with property developer Countryside into 89 new build properties in Rainhill and are also working on a project with Mersey Travel to develop a rapid charging network throughout the 6 boroughs of Merseyside for electric taxis. It will enable drivers of electric taxis to recharge their vehicles in just 20 minutes and reduce their costs as a £5 charge would equate to around 190 miles, a fraction of the cost of petrol. Electric taxis are silent and emit no emissions, helping to reduce both noise and air pollution in the city as well as achieving sustainability targets.
“Our vision is to build a network of rapid EV charging centres throughout the North West which will become modern day petrol stations charging vehicles through renewable energy sources, instead of oil.
Franklin Energy
