When a brand synonymous with household batteries decides to build an ultra-fast electric vehicle charging network, the industry pays attention. Duracell, a name found in kitchen drawers and toy boxes for decades, is now planting a flag in the EV infrastructure space in the United Kingdom. The company is not going it alone. It has partnered with Driivz, a company owned by Vontier, to supply the ev charging network software that will run the entire operation. This partnership reveals a lot about what it takes to build a modern, reliable, and scalable charging network from the ground up.
Why a Battery Brand Sees Opportunity in EV Charging
At first glance, the move from AA batteries to high-power charging stations might seem like a leap. But the logic is grounded in brand trust and a natural extension of energy storage expertise. Duracell has spent generations building a reputation for reliability and power on demand. Those same qualities are exactly what EV drivers crave when they pull up to a charger.
Mark Bloxham, managing director of Duracell E-Charge, has stated that the network is being built to set a new benchmark for ultra-fast charging in the UK. The goal is not just to install hardware, but to deliver a consistently reliable experience. That means high uptime, simple pricing, and no guesswork for the driver. This is where the choice of software partner becomes absolutely critical.
The Duracell E-Charge network is being operated by The EV Network, but the brains behind the operation come from Driivz. The ev charging network software from Driivz will handle everything from billing and settlements to real-time monitoring and remote troubleshooting. For a brand like Duracell, which cannot afford a reputation for broken chargers or confusing prices, the software layer is the make-or-break component.
The Role of EV Charging Network Software in Uptime and Reliability
Many drivers have experienced the frustration of pulling up to a charger only to find it offline, or struggling with a payment system that refuses to cooperate. These problems are rarely about the hardware alone. More often, they stem from the software that manages the network. The Driivz platform is designed to tackle these exact pain points head-on.
Real-Time Monitoring and Remote Troubleshooting
One of the most valuable features of the Driivz platform is its ability to monitor chargers in real time. Network operators can see exactly what each charging station is doing at any given moment. If a unit begins to behave erratically or shows signs of a potential failure, the system can alert the operations team immediately.
Remote troubleshooting capabilities mean that many issues can be resolved without sending a technician to the site. A software glitch, a communication error, or a configuration problem can often be fixed from a central dashboard. This reduces downtime significantly and keeps the chargers available for drivers. For a network that promises high uptime, this capability is not a luxury—it is a necessity.
Analytics That Drive Better Decisions
Driivz also provides an analytics platform that gives the Duracell E-Charge team data on charger performance, uptime statistics, and usage trends. As the network expands, this data becomes invaluable. It helps operators understand which locations are busiest, what times of day see the most demand, and whether certain charger models perform better than others.
This kind of insight allows the network to optimize its operations proactively. Instead of reacting to problems after they happen, the team can plan maintenance schedules, adjust pricing strategies, and even decide where to install the next charging station based on real-world usage patterns. The ev charging network software transforms raw data into actionable intelligence.
How OCPI Roaming Makes Life Easier for Drivers
One of the biggest headaches for EV drivers is the need to juggle multiple apps, RFID cards, and accounts just to charge their vehicle. Different networks often require different methods of access and payment. This fragmentation creates friction and discourages adoption. Driivz addresses this through its OCPI roaming capabilities.
OCPI stands for Open Charge Point Interface. It is a communication protocol that allows different charging networks to talk to each other. When a network supports OCPI roaming, a driver can use their existing account from one network to access chargers on another network. It works much like roaming agreements between mobile phone carriers.
For the Duracell E-Charge network, this means that drivers will likely be able to find and use these chargers through popular apps like Zap-Map, Google Maps, or other aggregator services. They will not need to download a separate app just for Duracell, although a branded app and web portal will be available for those who prefer it. The app will allow drivers to locate chargers, start a charging session, and complete payment seamlessly.
This approach increases the visibility and usage of the network. A driver who has never heard of Duracell E-Charge might discover it through their preferred navigation app and decide to stop there. For the network operator, that means higher utilization rates and more revenue. For the driver, it means one less account to manage.
Transparent Pricing and Billing: What It Really Means
Pricing in the EV charging world can be surprisingly opaque. Some networks charge different rates depending on the time of day, the payment method used, or even the speed of the charger. Drivers sometimes discover the final cost only after the session ends. Duracell and Driivz are positioning transparent pricing as a core feature of the network.
In practice, transparent pricing means that drivers will see the cost before they start charging. There will be no hidden fees or surprises. The detailed invoices and charging history provided through the Driivz platform will show exactly what was charged, for how long, and at what rate. This level of clarity builds trust, especially for drivers who have been burned by unclear pricing in the past.
For fleet managers who need to track expenses across multiple vehicles, this billing transparency is a game changer. They can generate reports, audit charges, and reconcile costs without spending hours on manual data entry. The ev charging network software handles the settlement process in the background, ensuring that all parties get paid correctly and on time.
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Scaling the Network from a Few Sites to Hundreds
Duracell has announced plans to expand its UK charging network to at least 100 charging stations with 500 charging points by 2030. That is an ambitious target. Scaling a charging network is not just about installing more hardware. It requires a software platform that can handle the complexity of a growing operation without breaking down.
Driivz is designed for scale. The platform can manage thousands of charging points across multiple locations, each with its own configuration, pricing rules, and maintenance schedules. As the Duracell E-Charge network adds new sites, the software can onboard them quickly without requiring custom development for each location.
Shiri Levi-Laor, CEO of Driivz, has emphasized that charging networks which can scale while optimizing current operations are the ones that will lead the future of mobility. This partnership gives Duracell a ready-made infrastructure for growth. Instead of building its own software from scratch, which would take years and millions of pounds, Duracell gets a proven platform that is already used by other major networks around the world.
What This Means for the Broader EV Charging Landscape
The entry of a consumer brand like Duracell into the EV charging space signals a shift in how the industry is maturing. It is no longer just about startups and energy companies. Established brands with deep consumer trust are now seeing the opportunity. This trend could accelerate adoption by making charging feel more familiar and less intimidating to the average driver.
However, the success of this venture depends heavily on execution. Duracell has the brand recognition, but the ev charging network software from Driivz will determine whether the network actually delivers on its promises. If drivers consistently find that Duracell chargers work, are easy to use, and cost what they expect, the network will thrive. If the software fails to deliver uptime or creates billing errors, the brand trust could erode quickly.
The partnership also highlights a growing trend among charge point operators. Instead of building proprietary software in-house, many are turning to specialized third-party platforms like Driivz. These platforms offer the features needed to compete in a crowded market without the massive upfront investment in software development. For a company like Duracell, which is not a software company at its core, this approach makes perfect sense.
Practical Takeaways for EV Drivers and Industry Observers
For EV drivers in the UK, the arrival of the Duracell E-Charge network is a positive development. More competition usually means better service and fairer prices. If Duracell follows through on its promise of high uptime and transparent pricing, it could set a new standard that other networks will have to match.
For those who run small charge point operations or manage fleets, this partnership offers a useful case study. It shows how a large brand approaches the challenge of scaling while maintaining control. The choice of software platform is the single most important decision in that process. A platform that offers real-time monitoring, OCPI roaming, and detailed analytics is no longer optional—it is essential for anyone who wants to compete seriously in this space.
Duracell has also indicated that it hopes to clarify its US plans by the end of 2026. If the UK rollout goes well, an expansion into North America could follow. That would put the Driivz platform to an even larger test, managing a network spread across two continents with different regulations, payment systems, and grid conditions.
For now, the focus is on the UK. The first chargers are expected to come online in the near future, and the industry will be watching closely. If Duracell and Driivz can deliver a network that is truly reliable and easy to use, they may well achieve their goal of setting a new benchmark for ultra-fast charging.
The next time you see a Duracell bunny, it might not be powering a toy. It might be powering your car.
