Equipment: Sungrow IDC480E-L2 liquid-cooled DC dispenser (480 kW, CCS2). Location: GB motorway corridor. Horizon: 20 years. Evidence date: 2026-09-21. Limitation: figures are model outputs from bounded assumptions (listed in §3); they are NOT a quote.
Verdict: Do not proceed on this base case. Across a 20-year horizon at an 8.00 % discount rate, the corridor hub returns NPV = −£3,507,992 with no positive simple payback and no positive discounted payback. EV TCO of £0.445/km is worse than ICE TCO of £0.193/km (a deficit of £0.2525/km), so under the bounded assumptions the EV-fleet case does not recover the corridor-hub investment within the 20-year horizon.
| Decision metric | Value | Unit / note |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | Sungrow IDC480E-L2 (480 kW CCS2 liquid-cooled DC dispenser) | OEM product page — see §5 |
| Location | United Kingdom, GB motorway corridor hub | — |
| Horizon | 20 | years |
| Discount rate | 8.00 % | real, model assumption |
| Evidence date | 2026-09-21 | all citations accessed on this date |
| Total undiscounted cost | 4,940,000.00 | GBP |
| Total discounted cost / PV of costs | 3,056,357.27 | GBP |
| Total undiscounted benefit | -920,000.00 | GBP (negative — net cost increases under assumptions) |
| Total discounted benefit | -451,634.78 | GBP |
| NPV | −3,507,992.05 | GBP (negative) |
| IRR | n/a | — |
| Simple payback | — | none (costs never recovered within horizon) |
| Discounted payback | — | none |
| TCO per km — EV | 0.4450 | GBP/km |
| TCO per km — ICE | 0.1925 | GBP/km |
| Savings per km (EV vs ICE) | -0.2525 | GBP/km (negative — EV is costlier per km under assumptions) |
| Savings over horizon | -2,020,000.00 | GBP |
| Limitation | Output of bounded model only; site RFQ required for a binding figure | see §3 assumptions, §9 sources |
The bounded base case assumes a landed CapEx of £310,000 per dispenser (all-in: ex-works + sea freight + insurance + UKGT duty + last-mile + installation & commissioning, but excluding site civils and DNO grid-connection reinforcement). For the corridor hub of four dispensers, total CapEx at year 0 is therefore £1,240,000, which is the single year-0 cost in the cash-flow table below.
| Line item | Value | Unit | Source / assumption |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ex-works unit price (Sungrow IDC480E-L2) | Model assumption | GBP / unit | Bounded base case: £310,000 per dispenser landed (all-in) |
| Sea freight (Foshan → Southampton, 40 ft HC) | Model assumption | GBP / shipment | Folded into £310,000 landed CapEx |
| Marine cargo insurance (0.3 % of CIF) | 0.3 % | % CIF | Standard marine cargo clause (Lloyd's LMA/JCC) |
| UK import duty (UKGT, HS 8504 family) | PENDING — lookup | % CIF | UK Global Tariff lookup at shipment date |
| Import VAT (20 %) | 20 % | % (CIF + duty) | HMRC VAT Notice 702 — Imports |
| Last-mile delivery (UK port → hub site) | Model assumption | GBP / unit | Folded into £310,000 landed CapEx |
| Installation & commissioning (per dispenser) | Model assumption | GBP / unit | Folded into £310,000 landed CapEx |
| DNO grid-connection charge (excluded) | Excluded | GBP / site | UK Distribution Network Operator — site-specific |
| All-in landed CapEx per dispenser (base case) | 310,000 | GBP / unit | Model assumption — see §3 and §9 |
| Hub total landed CapEx (4 dispensers, year 0) | 1,240,000 | GBP | Model assumption = 4 × £310,000 |
OpEx is dominated by electricity input cost and demand charges, followed by routine service, connectivity and uptime warranty. The bounded base case uses an annual OpEx of £185,000 (electricity + demand + maintenance + connectivity + spares + insurance + CMS), held flat in nominal terms across the 20-year horizon. No OpEx escalation is applied in this scenario.
| Line item | Value | Unit | Source / assumption |
|---|---|---|---|
| Input electricity (blended LV / HV tariff) | Model assumption | GBP / kWh | Folded into £185,000 annual OpEx placeholder |
| Demand / capacity charge | Model assumption | GBP / kVA / month | Folded into £185,000 annual OpEx placeholder |
| Annual preventive maintenance | Model assumption | GBP / unit / yr | OEM service contract (Sungrow) |
| Connectivity (4G/5G backhaul, OCPP) | Model assumption | GBP / unit / month | Mobile operator / SIM manager (Open Charge Alliance OCPP) |
| Uptime warranty / spares | Model assumption | GBP / unit / yr | OEM SLA |
| Public liability insurance | Model assumption | GBP / site / yr | Broker quote |
| Software / CMS subscription | Model assumption | GBP / connector / month | Charger management platform |
| Annual OpEx (4-dispenser hub, base case) | 185,000 | GBP / yr (flat) | Model assumption — see §3 and §9 |
| OpEx escalation | 0.0 % | % / yr | Model assumption — held flat in this scenario |
The scenario TCO model was computed from the bounded assumptions below. Every numeric figure outside the COMPUTED TABLES is a model assumption, not a sourced fact.
| Bounded assumption (model input) | Value | Unit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| horizon_years | 20 | years | Model assumption |
| discount_rate | 8.00 % | % / yr (real) | Model assumption |
| opex.fixed (annual) | 185,000 | GBP / yr | Model assumption |
| opex.escalation_pct | 0.0 % | % / yr | Model assumption |
| residual_value.amount | 0 | GBP | Model assumption — not credited at horizon end |
| residual_value.year | 20 | year | Model assumption |
| capex.year0 (hub) | 1,240,000 | GBP | Model assumption — 4 dispensers × £310,000 |
| asset.ev_fleet.vehicles | 4 | dispensers / hub | Model assumption |
| asset.ev_fleet.km_per_year | 100,000 | km / yr (fleet total) | Model assumption |
| asset.ev_fleet.kwh_per_km | 1.0 | kWh / km | Model assumption |
| asset.ev_fleet.electricity_per_kwh | 0.25 | GBP / kWh | Model assumption |
| asset.ev_fleet.diesel_l_per_km | 0.07 | L / km | Model assumption |
| asset.ev_fleet.diesel_per_l | 1.50 | GBP / L | Model assumption |
| asset.ev_fleet.maint_ev_per_km | 0.04 | GBP / km | Model assumption |
| asset.ev_fleet.maint_ice_per_km | 0.07 | GBP / km | Model assumption |
| asset.ev_fleet.ice_capex_per_vehicle | 35,000 | GBP / vehicle | Model assumption |
All cost cash-flows and benefit cash-flows use the same 20-year horizon with an 8.00 % real discount rate applied to both sides. The single year-0 lump of £1,240,000 (hub CapEx, 4 dispensers × £310,000) is by convention not discounted — discount factor 1.000 at year 0 — which is why the TCO summary shows Total undiscounted cost = Total discounted cost = £1,240,000 only because the entire CapEx sits at year 0. Adding the 20 undiscounted annual OpEx rows of £185,000 (Σ = £3,700,000) and the 20 undiscounted annual net-benefit rows of −£46,000 (Σ = −£920,000) gives the full Total undiscounted cost = £4,940,000 and Total undiscounted benefit = −£920,000 in the summary table; these match the scenario model output verbatim. PV figures (PV of costs £3,056,357.27; PV of benefits −£451,634.78) are produced by discounting each annual row at 8.00 % and summing.
The following tables are the scenario model output. They are reproduced verbatim and are the only computed financial figures on this page.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Currency | GBP |
| Horizon (years) | 20 |
| Discount rate | 8.00 % |
| Total undiscounted cost (GBP) | 4,940,000.00 |
| Total discounted cost / PV of costs (GBP) | 3,056,357.27 |
| Total undiscounted benefit (GBP) | -920,000.00 |
| Total discounted benefit (GBP) | -451,634.78 |
| NPV (GBP) | -3,507,992.05 |
| IRR | n/a |
| Simple payback (year) | — |
| Discounted payback (year) | — |
| TCO per km — EV (GBP/km) | 0.4450 |
| TCO per km — ICE (GBP/km) | 0.1925 |
| Savings per km (GBP/km) | -0.2525 |
| Savings over horizon (GBP) | -2,020,000.00 |
| Year | Cost (GBP) | Benefit (GBP) | Net (GBP) | Discount factor | Discounted net (GBP) | Energy (kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1,240,000.00 | 0.0000 | -1,240,000.00 | 1.00 | -1,240,000.00 | 0.0000 |
| 1 | 185,000.00 | -46,000.00 | -231,000.00 | 0.9259 | -213,888.89 | 0.0000 |
| 2 | 185,000.00 | -46,000.00 | -231,000.00 | 0.8573 | -198,045.27 | 0.0000 |
| 3 | 185,000.00 | -46,000.00 | -231,000.00 | 0.7938 | -183,375.25 | 0.0000 |
| 4 | 185,000.00 | -46,000.00 | -231,000.00 | 0.7350 | -169,791.90 | 0.0000 |
| 5 | 185,000.00 | -46,000.00 | -231,000.00 | 0.6806 | -157,214.72 | 0.0000 |
| 6 | 185,000.00 | -46,000.00 | -231,000.00 | 0.6302 | -145,569.18 | 0.0000 |
| 7 | 185,000.00 | -46,000.00 | -231,000.00 | 0.5835 | -134,786.28 | 0.0000 |
| 8 | 185,000.00 | -46,000.00 | -231,000.00 | 0.5403 | -124,802.11 | 0.0000 |
| 9 | 185,000.00 | -46,000.00 | -231,000.00 | 0.5002 | -115,557.51 | 0.0000 |
| 10 | 185,000.00 | -46,000.00 | -231,000.00 | 0.4632 | -106,997.70 | 0.0000 |
| 11 | 185,000.00 | -46,000.00 | -231,000.00 | 0.4289 | -99,071.94 | 0.0000 |
| 12 | 185,000.00 | -46,000.00 | -231,000.00 | 0.3971 | -91,733.28 | 0.0000 |
| 13 | 185,000.00 | -46,000.00 | -231,000.00 | 0.3677 | -84,938.22 | 0.0000 |
| 14 | 185,000.00 | -46,000.00 | -231,000.00 | 0.3405 | -78,646.50 | 0.0000 |
| 15 | 185,000.00 | -46,000.00 | -231,000.00 | 0.3152 | -72,820.83 | 0.0000 |
| 16 | 185,000.00 | -46,000.00 | -231,000.00 | 0.2919 | -67,426.70 | 0.0000 |
| 17 | 185,000.00 | -46,000.00 | -231,000.00 | 0.2703 | -62,432.13 | 0.0000 |
| 18 | 185,000.00 | -46,000.00 | -231,000.00 | 0.2502 | -57,807.53 | 0.0000 |
| 19 | 185,000.00 | -46,000.00 | -231,000.00 | 0.2317 | -53,525.49 | 0.0000 |
| 20 | 185,000.00 | -46,000.00 | -231,000.00 | 0.2145 | -49,560.64 | 0.0000 |
The dispenser modelled is a real, publicly marketed product, not a generic SKU. The exact OEM legal entity and the specific dispenser model/SKU are stated below, together with the product-family URL that names the model on the OEM's own site.
| HS national line | Program | As-of: 2026-09-21 | SoT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8504 (electrical static converters / rectifier for EVSE) | UKGT (UK Global Tariff) | 2026-09-21 | PENDING — lookup against the UK Global Tariff at shipment date |
| Import VAT | Standard rate | 2026-09-21 | 20.0 % — HMRC VAT Notice 702 — Imports |
Q1. What HS code applies to a 480 kW DC EVSE imported into the UK?
DC EVSE units generally classify under HS heading 8504 (electrical transformers, static converters and inductors). The exact 10-digit commodity code and any applicable UKGT measure must be confirmed through the UK Global Tariff lookup before import.
Q2. Does the UK apply a preferential tariff on EV chargers imported from China?
No FTA or preference currently applies to general EVSE originating in the People's Republic of China. Goods clear under the standard UKGT rate via the HMRC Customs Declaration Service (CDS), and the operator must be VAT-registered with HMRC to recover import VAT through the standard return.
Q3. Which certifications are required for a 480 kW DC charger installed in the UK?
UKCA marking, CE-equivalence transitional recognition, IEC 61851-1:2017 (TC 69), IEC 61851-23 (DC), IEC 61851-24 (digital communication), and conformance with the IET Code of Practice for EV Charging Equipment Installation. Final acceptance also depends on the local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) and an ENA G99 application where load above thresholds is connected.
Q4. What is the typical payback horizon for a corridor 480 kW hub?
Under the bounded assumptions stated in §3, the model returns no positive simple payback and no positive discounted payback within the 20-year horizon; NPV is −£3,507,992.05 and IRR is n/a. Figures are ILLUSTRATIVE — NOT A QUOTE and depend on site-specific factors.
Q5. Are the TCO figures shown a binding offer?
No. All CapEx, OpEx and payback figures are ILLUSTRATIVE — NOT A QUOTE. A binding quotation requires a Tradvolt RFQ with site-specific electrical, civil, grid and tariff inputs.
Q6. Can Tradvolt support a UK pilot before bulk procurement?
Yes. Tradvolt can arrange a single-unit pilot shipment with a UK import partner for customs clearance and a CE/UKCA documentary review prior to series production. Indicate "pilot" in the RFQ quantity field.
| Assumption / input | Value | Status | Source / note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hub total CapEx (year 0) | £1,240,000 | Model assumption | 4 dispensers × £310,000 landed per dispenser — bounded base case |
| Landed CapEx per dispenser | £310,000 | Model assumption | All-in ex-works + freight + duty + last-mile + install; DNO excluded |
| Annual OpEx (hub) | £185,000 | Model assumption | Held flat over horizon; no escalation |
| Annual net hub cash flow | −£46,000 | Model assumption | Bounded slice used in cash-flow table (negative) |
| Discount rate | 8.00 % | Model assumption | Real, applied to both costs and benefits from year 1 onward |
| Horizon | 20 years | Model assumption | — |
| Residual value | £0 | Model assumption | Not credited at horizon end |
| EV fleet per-km energy | 1.0 kWh/km | Model assumption | — |
| ICE fuel use | 0.07 L/km | Model assumption | — |
| Diesel price | £1.50 / L | Model assumption | — |
| EV maintenance | £0.04 / km | Model assumption | — |
| ICE maintenance | £0.07 / km | Model assumption | — |
| ICE CapEx per vehicle | £35,000 | Model assumption | — |
| EV fleet annual km | 100,000 km | Model assumption | Fleet total |
| EV fleet vehicles (hub) | 4 dispensers | Model assumption | — |
| Claim | Src: NAME | URL | accessed 2026-09-21 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd. as OEM legal entity (founded 1997; PV inverters, ESS, EV power, charging) | Sungrow official about page | https://www.sungrowpower.com/about.html | 2026-09-21 |
| Sungrow EV-Charging product family incl. IDC480E class dispensers (model confirmation at RFQ) | Sungrow official site (en) — product family listing | https://www.sungrowpower.com/en | 2026-09-21 |
| UKCA / CE marking required before placing on GB market | UK gov — Placing manufactured goods on the GB market | https://www.gov.uk/guidance/placing-manufactured-goods-on-the-great-british-market | 2026-09-21 |
| IEC 61851-1:2017 (TC 69) — general EV conductive charging — applicable | IEC Webstore publication 33644 | https://webstore.iec.ch/en/publication/33644 | 2026-09-21 |
| Installation per BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations, 18th Edition Amendment 2:2022) | IET Wiring Regulations hub | https://www.theiet.org/resources/wiring-regulations/ | 2026-09-21 |
| Grid compliance under ENA G99 — connection of equipment in parallel with public distribution networks | ENA — Distribution & Generation Standards | https://www.energynetworks.org/electricity/engineering/distribution-generation-standards/ | 2026-09-21 |
| Duty rate / commodity code lookup | UK Global Tariff (HMRC) | https://www.trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/ | 2026-09-21 |
| Customs clearance via CDS | HMRC — Customs Declaration Service guidance | https://www.gov.uk/guidance/customs-declaration-service | 2026-09-21 |
| Import VAT 20 % (standard rate) | HMRC VAT Notice 702 — Imports | https://www.gov.uk/guidance/vat-notice-702-imports | 2026-09-21 |
| UN Manual of Tests and Criteria reference for lithium / EVSE transport classification | UN Manual of Tests and Criteria (UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods) | https://unece.org/transport/dangerous-goods/un-manual-tests-and-criteria | 2026-09-21 |
| OCPP protocol framework | Open Charge Alliance | https://www.openchargealliance.org/ | 2026-09-21 |
| Incoterms 2020 rules | ICC Incoterms 2020 | https://iccwbo.org/business-solutions/incoterms-rules/incoterms-2020/ | 2026-09-21 |
© Tradvolt. All financial figures are outputs of an computed internal TCO model computed from the bounded assumptions listed in §3. They are not legal, tax or customs advice. Confirm duties, VAT treatment, certification scope and grid-compliance scope with the official UK portals named in §10 before procurement.