Laadlokaal and Alfen: Moving forward together in the energy transition with reliable EV charging stations and smart solutions

Our customer Laadlokaal has now been active for almost three years and was founded by Sam and Otto. They have known each other for a long time, share a passion for entrepreneurship and complement each other perfectly. “Sam has extensive experience in electrical engineering and is technically skilled by nature, while I completed my degree in business administration and then set up the internal processes within Laadlokaal. We saw the accelerating energy transition and the growing number of EV drivers. That is why we decided to focus on this sector and Laadlokaal was born. In addition, we have specialized in and obtained certification for PV installations and energy storage systems, both for residential customers and large-scale commercial projects,” Otto explains.

The advantages of Alfen charging stations

Laadlokaal prefers working with charging stations from Alfen. Their very first charging station was an Alfen S-line. This compact charger has since earned a permanent place in their portfolio. “Libra Energy supported us during our start-up phase, which enabled us to develop quickly. By now, we have installed a significant number of Alfen charging stations. We value the quality and reliability of their products. The most popular charging station among our customers is the Alfen Pro-line with fixed cable. This model is widely used in commercial environments, which represent a large part of our customer base. We have experienced hardly any malfunctions, which is essential for both us and our customers,” says Otto.

First large-scale project

Laadlokaal completed an impressive commercial project for a furniture manufacturer. “This project came through our own network, via a former colleague, which made it even more rewarding. The project consists of a charging plaza where we installed seven Alfen Double Pro-line charging stations on Alfen mounting poles. We installed a distribution cabinet to centrally connect the charging stations, which improves both installation quality and future scalability. The charging stations communicate via Alfen’s Smart Charging Network, allowing them to distribute the available power among themselves to prevent grid overload. We have since installed Alfen Pro-line Doubles at multiple locations for this client. Once a year, we perform on-site maintenance by updating the chargers with the latest software, ensuring they support the newest functionalities and continue to operate smoothly.”

Strong service and support

“Libra Energy was our first supplier and we never felt the need to look elsewhere, good is good. Libra Energy supplies the EV charging stations we prefer to use, but also solar panels and battery storage systems. We are particularly satisfied with the fast delivery times, the technical support and the personal contact with employees such as Rens, Fabian and François.”

Speaking of strong support, the Laadlokaal team is also very satisfied with the Alfen Eve Connect App. “We are pleased with the Alfen app, which offers our customers insights into their energy consumption, helping them better understand how much electricity is used and when. In addition, the app enables smart charging, for example by aligning EV charging with available solar power. This functionality is especially popular among our residential customers.”

The future of energy and self-sufficiency

Otto and Sam from Laadlokaal are optimistic about the future. “The market is evolving. December 2024 was our busiest month ever, driven by a steady increase in EV drivers and a revival in demand for solar panels. Despite the phase-out of the net metering scheme, declining material prices make this an ideal time to invest in solar panels, and home battery systems are also gaining traction. Batteries and electric vehicles help maximize the use of self-generated renewable energy. Developing a more sustainable energy consumption pattern is becoming increasingly important for customers. We foresee a future in which an Energy Management System (EMS) intelligently controls homes. In this future, EV charging stations, solar panels and home battery systems will work seamlessly together to optimize energy consumption on all levels, both in terms of efficiency and energy independence,” Otto concludes.